SYNTHESIS AND STUDY OF BINARY Ag-Cu NANOCOMPOSITES

In the last decade, increasing attention has been paid to polymer-based nanocomposites incorporating noble metal nanoparticles, due to their broad application potential. Especially valuable are systems that combine two types of metal nanoparticles, such as silver and copper, which show enhanced performance in catalysis, biomedical engineering, and in the development of advanced chemo- and biosensors. These materials are also important for detecting environmental pollutants and diagnosing diseases. In this study, a binary Ag/Cu nanocomposite was synthesized by the simultaneous chemical reduction of silver and copper salts using hydrazine hydrate, with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) acting as a stabilizing agent. The process was enhanced by ultrasonic treatment to ensure uniform particle formation. The resulting material was thoroughly characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Characterization confirmed the formation of crystalline silver and copper nanoparticles along with inclusions of copper(I) oxide (Cu2O). SEM revealed spherical particles predominantly 20–30 nm in size, while elemental analysis showed silver and copper contents of 22.41% and 25.62% (atomic), respectively. The presence of PVP and ultrasonic energy contributed to a narrow size distribution and reduced aggregation, improving stability. The synthesized nanocomposite exhibits properties that make it suitable for use in electrochemical devices, pharmaceutical applications, and ecological monitoring systems. This work contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by supporting the creation of advanced nanomaterials for future technological solutions.