SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COPPER NANO PARTICLES: APPLICATION, IN FIELD OF OXIDATION OF AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS CERIUM (IV) SULPHATE UNDER MICROWAVE IRRADIATION

Abstract

The catalytic oxidation with Cerium (IV) in aqueous solution offers an economic and environmentally safe alternative for oxidation reactions performed in synthetic laboratories and chemical industry. In this paper we have shown that the size of the copper nanoparticle is responsible for the yield of chemical change. The copper catalyst (non-nano) powder showed 21% conversion of naphthalene to α-naphthol in 3 min under our experimental conditions. Same quantity of copper nanoparticles (size, ~ 60 nm diameter) ready by turn PVP-EG capping showed 33% conversion of  naphthalene to α-naphthol that inflated to concerning 43% when 8 nm diameter capped copper nanoparticles are used. Surprisingly, 5 nm size copper nanoparticles showed no change in the yield of about 41%. [Ce(IV)-Cu(II)sulphate] system in our experimental work shows 43%, 97%, and 96% yields for oxidation of naphthalene, phenanthrene, and anthracene respectively in the presence of copper nanoparticles.