Characterization of copper nanopowders after natural aging

Copper nanopowders after storage under natural conditions can oxidize and change their properties. In this work, the phase composition, morphology and thermal properties of copper nanopowders after natural aging of 10 years were studied. The copper nanopowders were produced by the method of electrical explosion of wires in different gaseous ambient: argon and carbon dioxide. The nanopowders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The content of copper oxides phases was found to be increased in comparison with freshly synthesized powders. This transformation results in the change of the thermal characteristics of the nanopowders. The effect of the synthesis conditions on the composition and thermal characteristics was shown.