Growth of nanosized cupric sulphate–urea complex in aqueous medium and its characterization

Abstract

Cupric sulphate-urea complex has been prepared in aqueous medium and growth morphologies of complex and reactants have been compared. Morphology of the complex is different as compared to those of the individual reactants. UV-vis spectra of pure cupric sulphate and aqueous solutions of complex prepared in different cupric sulphate and urea ratio show the maximum shift in λ_max when the molar ratio of cupric sulphate and urea is 1:2. Detailed investigation of the 1:2 complex has been carried out by IR, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis and electron spin resonance studies. Surface topology of the complex has been studied by atomic force microscopy and the particle diameter observed by transmission electron microscopy. Nanosized complex is formed with particle diameter in the range 24-120 nm, while the average thickness of the particle is in the range of 634 -1260 nm.