Stabilization of Copper Nanoparticles with Volume- and Surface-Distribution inside Ion-Exchange Matrices

Nanocomposites characterized by the surface and volume distributions of deposited copper nanoparticles are obtained via the chemical deposition of copper onto sulfonic acid and carboxylic cation exchanger and strongly basic anion exchanger matrices. The electrode behavior of the synthesized composites in CuSO4 solution is studied by open-circuit chronopotentiometry. The effect the nature of the fixed centers of the ion-exchange matrix has on the initial state of metallic particles and the processes that occur in solutions of their metal ions is established from the deviation of the nanocomposites' electrode potential from the potential of a compact electrode and the nature of its change over time. It is shown that the mechanism behind the interaction of the matrix and metal ions (ion exchange, non-exchange absorption, complexation) determines not only the initial size and distribution of metal particles, but also the rate at which they achieve aggregative stability.