Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles in Droplet Flow Reactors

Author

Christopher Reilly, University of New Hampshire, Durham

Date of Award

Spring 2017

Project Type

Senior Honors Thesis

College or School

CEPS

Department

Chemical Engineering

Program or Major

Chemical Engineering

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

First Advisor

Nivedita Gupta

Abstract

Synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles within droplet flow reactors is advantageous over batch synthesis due to the elimination of concentration and temperature gradients inside the reactor and prevention of reactor fouling. We present results on the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using aqueous droplets of copper acetate and acetic acid inside a bulk stream of sodium hydroxide in 1-octanol. Varying the copper acetate, acetic acid, and sodium hydroxide concentration resulted in needle-like and plate-like nanoparticles of varying sizes. The rate of mass transfer from the bulk to the droplet phase was found to increase with flow rate and addition of surfactants.

Recommended Citation

Reilly, Christopher, "Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles in Droplet Flow Reactors" (2017). Honors Theses and Capstones. 345.
https://scholars.unh.edu/honors/345