Synthesis and characterization of Cu2O nanoparticles dispersed in NH2-terminated poly(ethylene oxide)

Small copper(I) oxide, Cu2O, particles dispersed in diamine-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-NH2) matrices have been successfully prepared by vacuum evaporation of copper on to molten PEO-NH2, followed by heat treatment. The obtained composites were characterized by TEM, electron diffraction, viscometry, TG–DTA and FT-IR spectroscopy. The mean size of the Cu2O nanoparticles could be controlled from 2.5 to 3.5 nm in diameter by changing the amount of initial Cu deposition. The composites obtained here have a wax-like texture and are soluble in many organic solvents with no evidence for aggregation. The formation mechanism of Cu2O nanoparticles and the interaction between the nanoparticles and the matrix is also discussed.