Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Nanostructures Supported on 2D Materials

• Grant number: 25/04450-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Valeria Spolon Marangoni
• Grantee: Anelise Gonçalves Silva
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The synthesis of metallic nanoparticles with well-defined and tunable resonance wavelengths has been extensively investigated, expanding their applications in fields ranging from medicine to energy. Among these systems, copper has emerged as a promising material in plasmonics and catalysis due to its greater abundance and economic viability. However, developing controlled synthesis routes for these nanostructures without the use of surfactants and stabilizers remains a significant challenge, as copper is highly prone to oxidation under ambient conditions, making it difficult to obtain stable particles with high catalytic efficiency. In this context, the present project proposes the synthesis of copper nanostructures supported on functionalized and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), aiming to optimize their photocatalytic properties. This is a promising synthesis methodology that avoids the use of surfactants or toxic stabilizers for nanoparticle stabilization. Emphasis will be placed on optimizing synthesis processes that enable the production of particles with controlled sizes and well-defined optical properties. The systems will be characterized using spectroscopic and electron microscopy techniques, and preliminary tests to assess their catalytic and photocatalytic properties, with a focus on the relationship between morphology and performance, may also be explored.