This study focused on the kinetics
and mechanisms of the thermal
decomposition of Cu(OH)2 as a potential processing route
to produce CuO nanoparticles. The physico-geometric reaction behaviors
were studied using available physicochemical techniques and microscopic
observation. The kinetic modeling of the reaction process to produce
CuO nanoparticles was examined via the kinetic analysis of the mass-loss
data recorded under different heating conditions. The reaction exhibited
specific physico-geometric kinetic characteristics, including an evident
induction period, a subsequent sigmoidal mass-loss behavior under
isothermal conditions, and a long-lasting reaction tail under linearly
increasing temperature conditions. During the first mass-loss step
characterized by the sigmoidal mass-loss behavior, the crystallite
size of the produced CuO was constant, and the specific surface area
increased systematically. The second mass-loss step during the reaction
tail was accompanied by the crystal growth of CuO. Therefore, the
end of the first mass-loss step was the most efficient reaction stage
to obtain CuO nanoparticles. The overall kinetic process that reaches
this reaction stage was successfully demonstrated as consecutive physico-geometric
processes comprising the induction period, surface reaction, and one-dimensional
phase boundary-controlled reaction, providing the kinetic parameters
for each component step.