During a green synthesis of Copper oxide nanoparticles using a given plant extract, Nano Copper hydroxide sulfate and nano copper oxide were formed . the xrd showed the presence of both( cuo and the hydroxide sulfate)
First i used NaOH to manipulate pH. Did the Nano copper hydroxide sulfate was formed due to the presence of NaOH or as a result of the used plant extract?
Second in the xrd, there are common peaks between both compounds. how can i realize if these peaks belongs to a given compound rather than the other?
Hello Wesam Ahmed Tawfik
I believe your confusion about the roles of NaOH and the plant extract for the reduction of copper salt into the corresponding particle is logical.
1. The NaOH is an oxygen donor while the plant extract is a bio reducing agent. under that atmosphere CuO/Cu(OH)2 might be formed. The Sulphur I believe is from your copper procussor.
2. A good way to eliminate the hydroxide and sulphate is high temperature calcination of the end product under oxidative environment such as air or oxygen.
3. for the overlapping peaks in XRD, consider the intensity and width (you should observe a difference from XRD of pure CuO of similar size).
3. XRD alone might not be sufficient. deploy HRTEM, look closely at the lattice spacing then compare with pure CuO. planes of CuO and Cu(OH)2S will have different d-spacing. you can read the attached article on XRD that I found to be extremely helpful.
Wesam Ahmed Tawfik
Check out the article. There are answers to all your questions.
Article Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles for biomedical...
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