Elucidating the effect of precursor decomposition time on the structural and optical properties of copper(i) nitride nanocubes

Abstract

To study the effect of time on the colloidal synthesis of Cu3N nanoparticles, copper(ii) nitrate was thermally decomposed at 260 °C for up to 60 min in octadecylamine as a stabilizing ligand.

Precursor chemistry of metal nitride nanocrystals

“…This growth mechanism was later confirmed under slightly different conditions. 121 In addition, long reaction times (at 260 °C) lead to the decomposition of the formed Cu 3 N to Cu(0) particles. Xi et al also studied the magnetic properties of the Cu 3 N NCs and observed paramagnetic and ferromagnetic contributions.…”

Solution/Ammonolysis Syntheses of Unsupported and Silica-Supported Copper(I) Nitride Nanostructures from Oxidic Precursors

“…More recently, however, there has been added interest in the synthesis of different types of Cu 3 N nanostructures [ 36 , 37 ]. A flurry of different synthesis routes was applied to synthesise nitride nanoparticles, for example by solvothermal methods using copper azide in toluene or THF at moderate temperature [ 38 ], by thermal decomposition of Cu(NO 3 ) 2 in solutions containing long chain amines as solvents and capping agents [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], via the reaction of copper(II) acetate with NH 3 gas in long-chain alcohol solvents [ 42 ] by a one-step process in which copper(II) methoxide reacts with benzylamine [ 43 ] or by reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) combined with nitridation of Cu(I) by hexamethylenetetramine [ 44 ].…”

“…Generally, the development of facile, inexpensive synthetic methods is especially valuable given the emerging commercial applications of nanomaterials. Synthesis using long-chain amines [ 39 , 40 , 41 ] is becoming the most-utilized chemical method for the fabrication of Cu 3 N nanopowders. Implementing this route on a commercial basis is challenging, however, due both to the costs of the required chemicals and to the limits of morphological control that can be exerted [ 40 ].…”

“…Synthesis using long-chain amines [ 39 , 40 , 41 ] is becoming the most-utilized chemical method for the fabrication of Cu 3 N nanopowders. Implementing this route on a commercial basis is challenging, however, due both to the costs of the required chemicals and to the limits of morphological control that can be exerted [ 40 ]. In our approach, we propose important modifications to the classical approach to late transition metal nitride synthesis; namely the reaction of a suitable precursor in gaseous ammonia.…”

Ligand Conversion in Nanocrystal Synthesis: The Oxidation of Alkylamines to Fatty Acids by Nitrate

“…Alkylamines have been used as reducing agents, 54,55 or as a source of ammonia. 50 Certain side reactions were reported, such as the oxidation to nitriles, 47,56,57 or the condensation with carboxylic acids. 53 However, none of these previously reported transformations yielded byproducts with high binding affinity for the NC surface.…”