Synthesis and characterisation of copper chromite nanoparticles using coprecipitation method

Pure spinel nanoparticles of copper chromite (CuCr(2)O(4)) were synthesised by coprecipitation method. The nanostructures and morphology of CuCr(2)O(4) were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic laser light scattering analyses. The X-ray analysis showed the formation of pure CuCr(2)O(4) nanoparticles with good crystallinity. SEM and TEM images showed that particles were synthesised with nearly spherical crystalline shape. These results showed that this procedure is capable of producing pure CuCr(2)O(4) with average particles size of 13.1 nm. Also, the experiments were optimised by the L(8) Taguchi experimental design. The effects of seven main factors on the crystal size were evaluated. The most important factors on the crystal size reduction of CuCr(2)O(4) nanoparticles were found to be type of precipitating agent, type of capping agent and calcinations temperature, respectively.