Preparation of Oleic Acid-Capped Copper Nanoparticles

A novel chemical process for producing hydrophobic nanocopper particles with satisfied antioxidation property is described here. Well-dispersed nano-copper particles with satisfied surface properties were obtained from the water/organic solution. In this process, oleic acid acts as both a phase-transfer agent and a particle protector coordinating their carboxyl end groups on the newly generated copper particles surface, and the hydrophobic carbon tails of the oleic acids are pointed outwards from the surface of particles. In addition, this organic film also plays an important role for preventing the newly generated copper particles from oxidation.