One-pot synthesis of size and shape controlled copper nanostructures in aqueous media and their application for fast catalytic degradation of organic dyes

The present investigation reports the novel chemical reduction synthesis of air resistant copper nanostructures (particles or rods) at a high concentration (up to 0.3 M) with controlled size and shape in an aqueous media. These syntheses accomplished high yields using sodium borohydride as a reducing agent, L-(+)-tartaric acid as a new surfactant and antioxidant, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a capping agent. The input of extra inert gases was not necessary and this method is very simple and green. Some reaction parameters, such as amount of reactants or surfactant, pH, reaction time or rate and amount of reduction reagent, were effective for control in the size and shape of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, colloidal copper nanoparticles effectively catalytically degrade methyl orange. The synthesis method reported in this work might be useful for the large-scale production of Cu nanoparticles.