SiO2 capsulized Cu active nanoparticles: synthesis and activity study

Cu active nanoparticles (Cu ANPs) were synthesized in weakly acidic solution to preserve their catalytic activity. SiO2 capsules were designed to insulate Cu ANPs from oxidation. The weak interaction between SiO2 capsules and Cu ANPs ensured that the designed nanoparticles had good anti-oxidation property and potentially high activity. The increased anti-oxidation property with thicker SiO2 capsules (Cu-s3 > Cu-s2 > Cu-s1) and the order of reactivity to oxygen (Cu-s1 Cu-s2 > Cu-s3) showed that Cu ANPs with SiO2 capsules (Cu-s2) of appropriate thickness would be the best for application. By using the samples to construct non-enzymatic sensors, the detected activity toward electro-catalytic oxidation of glucose confirmed this conclusion. Dehiscence of SiO2 capsules recovered the activity of the Cu ANPs in the catalytic ammonium perchlorate (AP) decomposition process. With the addition of 1.5% of Cu ANPs, the high temperature decomposition of AP decreased by 184.2 degrees C.