Synthesis of Stable, Low-Dispersity Copper Nanoparticles and Nanorods and Their Antifungal and Catalytic Properties

Low-polydispersity copper nanoparticles (NPs) and nanorods (NRs) were synthesized by thermal decomposition of copper(II) acetylacetonate precursors in the presence of surfactants. Exchange of weakly bound alkylamine ligands for alkanethiols increased the stability of the NPs and, depending on the thiols' terminal functionality, rendered them soluble in organic solvents or in water. The water-soluble nanoparticles stabilized with positively charged thiols exhibited long-term (months) stability and antifungal properties. The NPs and NRs stabilized with weakly bound alkylamine ligands are catalytically active in alkyne coupling reactions.