Skip to main content

Differences Between Cuprous Oxide (Cu2O) and Copper (Cupric) Oxide (CuO) Nanoparticles

Copper, which is a d block element, is named as cuprous or cupric based on the electronic configuration. The main difference between cuprous and cupric is that cuprous is copper +1 cation whereas cupric is copper +2 cation. When copper is reacted with oxygen, two stable compounds Cu2O and CuO form.
Cuprous Oxide Nanoparticles Copper Oxide Nanoparticles
Copper Oxide is the inorganic compound with the formula CuO (Figure 1) also known as ‘cupric oxide’. In this form, Cu is in the form of Cu+2 and the electron configuration of the Cu changes from [Ar]3d104s1 to [Ar]3d94s0. It is known as tenorite as a mineral (Figure 2). CuO can be obtained by using pyrometallurgical processes.
Figure 1: Copper Oxide (CuO) Powder
Cuprous Oxide is the other stable compound of Copper with formula Cu2O. In this form, Cu is in the form of Cu+1. Its electron configuration changes from [Ar]3d104s1 to [Ar]3d104s0 so it is more stable compared to copper(II) oxide. CuO(Figure 3) is generally obtained via the oxidation of copper and it can have yellow or red color. Cu2O degrades to CuO in moist air. This product is a toxic compound and it can cause acute poisoning when exposed to 1-2 hours if it is presented in air at a content of 0.22-14mg/mg3.
Figure 2: Powder Cu2O (Cuprous Oxide)
Differences between Copper Oxide (CuO) and Cuprous Oxide (Cu2O) Nano Powders
In terms of structure, copper oxide has a monoclinic crystal structure where Cu is coordinated by 4 oxygen atoms whereas cuprous oxide has cubic structure where Cu atoms are placed in FCC sublattice and oxygen atoms are placed in BCC sublattice.
Solid Cu2O is diamagnetic while CuO exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering.
Both are p-type semiconductors, but Cu2O has a band gap of 2eV whereas CuO has a band gap of 1.2 eV – 1.9 eV.
Cu2O is obtained by oxidation of copper metal or reduction of copper(II) solutions with sulfur oxide, whereas CuO is obtained by pyrometallurgical processes used to extract copper from ores.

Single Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

Applications of Copper Oxide (CuO) Nanoparticles
  • Many of the wood preservatives are made of copper.
  • It is also used as a pigment to create different glazes.
  • Used when welding with copper alloys.
Applications of Cuprous Oxide (Cu2O) Nanoparticles
  • Used as a pigment and antifouling agent form marine paints to kill low-level marine animals. 
  • Used for coating of ship bottom paint.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Molybdenum Trioxide Nanoparticles/Nanopowder and Applications

General Information about Molybdenum Trioxide                                                     Molybdenum trioxide is chemical compound with the formula MoO3. Its chief application is as an oxidation catalyst and as a raw material for the production of molybdenum metal.  Molybdenum Trioxide  is a very light blue powder. Molybdenum Trioxide Nanoparticles/Nanopowder and Their Applications                                                    Like many  nanoparticles/nanopowder , Molybdenum Trioxide nanoparticles/nanopowder are used as catalysts. These catalysis reactions include hydrogenation catalysis and cracking catalysis. Molybdenum Trioxide nanoparticles/  nanopowder are useful for...
Post a Comment
Read more

Improving Dialysis Process with Graphene

Researchers from Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Departments of MIT recently showed that graphene is a powerful material candidate for use in the dialysis systems (such as hemodialysis machines in medical institutes for filtering human blood). In order to prepare graphene as a dialysis material, researchers used a procedure opposite to the general treatments that nanotechnology people use. Dialysis is a process of filtering different solutions such as human blood by a membrane in order to remove waste molecules, drugs, chemical residues from the solution. In some cases, the process can be used for purification of chemicals or isolation of different molecules for medical diagnosis. It is an essential process for scientists especially in the medical operations. Image Retrieved From: http://www.graphene-nownano.manchester.ac.uk/our-research/examples-of-current-projects/fundamental-science/use-of-graphene-as-bio-membrane/ The traditional membranes used in dialysis are thick ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Graphene Oxide Dispersion

Graphene oxide refers to a mono-atomic layer material obtained when graphite crystals are oxidized. This is one of the graphene materials that are commercially available because of  its ability to dissolve in water  which makes the oxidation process suitable. In this article, we will talk about the  synthesis, the properties and some of the applications of graphene oxide dispersion in water . Seven Properties of Graphene Oxide Dispersion The properties of a material are defined through its structure, however, this material is very peculiar, since there is no unambiguous model of this material. Graphene Oxide dispersion offers remarkable physical, chemical and mechanical properties that give the opportunity to new applications. Graphene Oxide is amorphous , but, in general, graphene oxide can be described as a two-dimensional sheet containing honeycomb carbon atoms with functional groups of hydroxide and oxygen, unlike the graphene model that seeks to completely re...
Post a Comment
Read more