Structure of copper-containing nanoparticles synthesized in polyethylene matrix

Copper-containing nanoparticles synthesized in high-pressure polyethylene matrix by the method of thermal decomposition of (CH₃COO)₂Cu·H₂O are presented. Average dimensions of nanoparticles and size distribution were determined by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray phase analysis. It was shown that, with increasing copper concentration, the nanoparticles increase in size from 6 to 18 nm. The structure of copper-containing nanoparticles was determined by the method of EXAFS spectroscopy in fluorescence mode and in transmission one. It was shown that the samples containing 3 wt% and 5 wt% of copper are most likely to include CuO particles with tenorite structure. When the copper concentration is increased to 10 wt%, the nanoparticles contain Cu₂O and metallic copper phases. An increase in copper concentration to 40 wt% results in complication of the composition and the structure of the particles.