Copper/ Copper Oxide Core Shell Nanoparticles (Cu/Cu2O, 99.9%, APS: 80-100nm, Metal Core/Metal Shell)

Copper/ Copper Oxide Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Copper/Copper Oxide core-shell nanoparticles are a class of advanced nanomaterials where a Copper (Cu) core is surrounded by a Copper Oxide (CuO) shell. This core-shell structure combines the excellent electrical conductivity, magnetic properties, and thermal properties of Copper with the chemical reactivity, optical properties, and catalytic activity of Copper Oxide. 

Applications

Catalysis:

Chemical Catalysis: Cu/CuO core-shell nanoparticles are highly efficient in oxidation and reduction reactions, making them ideal for applications in environmental catalysis, energy conversion, and fine chemical production. The CuO shell provides active sites for oxidation reactions like CO oxidation and methanol oxidation, while the Cu core can enhance reduction reactions.

Photocatalysis: The CuO shell is also used in photocatalysis for water splitting to generate hydrogen or for degradation of organic pollutants under UV light. The Cu core can influence the charge transport and charge carrier dynamics in photocatalytic processes.

Energy Storage and Conversion:

Batteries: The Cu/CuO core-shell nanoparticles can be used as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), where the CuO shell can enhance capacity and cycle stability while the Cu core provides high conductivity. The core-shell structure also helps in preventing the pulverization of the material during cycling, which is common in CuO-based anodes.

Supercapacitors: The Cu/CuO nanoparticles have been explored as materials for supercapacitors due to their high surface area and conductivity, providing high energy storage and fast charge/discharge rates.

Fuel Cells: In fuel cell technology, Cu/CuO core-shell nanoparticles have been used as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and methanol oxidation reactions in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs).

Gas Sensing:

The CuO shell makes the Cu/CuO nanoparticles excellent candidates for gas sensing applications, particularly for detecting toxic gases such as CO, NOx, or NH3. The high reactivity of the CuO shell allows the nanoparticles to interact with these gases, changing their electrical or optical properties, which can be monitored for sensing.

Due to their high surface area and porous nature, these nanoparticles can adsorb and interact with gas molecules, making them useful for environmental monitoring and industrial safety.