Sol-Gel Process Optimization for CuO Nanoparticle Synthesis Achieving High Purity and Homogeneity

Abstract Nanomaterials are unique in their property profile and find application across many fields of study including but not limited to materials engineering, medicine, environmental science, and many technologies. Depending on the nature of the metal and the properties of the oxide, there are several transition metal oxides which are widely used in various field of sciences including some of the following Copper oxide (CuO). In the present work CuO nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method with maintaining various synthesis parameters accurately. Cupric chloride was used as the precursor whilst sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was used as the stabilizing agent. The concentrations of the aqueous solution were changed in a standard fashion to look into the effect of the pH levels on the final precipitate. The CuO nanoparticles under study were further subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) along with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The work also showed that the synthesized nanoparticles possess a crystallite size of 25. 21 nm and average particle size which is approximately 299. 19 nm.