Effect of Applied Voltage on Slow-Release of Cu(II) Ions on the Synthesis of Copper(II) Stearate Complex by Electrochemical Technique

An electrochemical technique based on the slow-release of Cu2+ ion from electrochemical oxidation of a Cu anode in the presence of stearic acid (HSt) and an aqueous solution of ammonium acetate (CH3COONH4) (0.1 mol L-1) as supporting electrolyte has been used to synthesize Cu(II) stearate (Cu(II) St) complex. Different values of applied voltages (1, 5 and 10 V) were used during the synthesis to study the effect of applied voltage on the particle size of the Cu nanoparticles and morphology of the synthesized Cu(II) St complex. By using 1 V of applied voltage, small Cu nanoparticle was produced with an average particle size of 2.49 +/- 0.82 nm, followed by 5 V (3.61 +/- 1.18 nm) and 10 V (6.64 +/- 2.72 nm). Another advantage of using 1 V of the applied voltage is the formation of well-shaped petal-like structures of the Cu(II) St complex compared to the synthesis using 5 V and 10 V which inhibit the formation of well-shaped petal-like structure. This proves that the slow-release electrochemical synthesis using lower value of applied voltage has successfully resulted in the formation of small size Cu nanoparticles.