Affordable, Green, and Facile Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Stabilized by Environmentally Friendly Surfactants

Simple and affordable green synthesis of copper nanoparticles was developed. Nanoparticles of various sizes were prepared using the solvothermal reduction method in glycerol, which acted as both a solvent and a reduction agent. The nanoparticles had average diameters of 38 to 50 nm and were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Affordable surfactants based on polyethylene glycols PEG200, PEG6000, and PEG20000 and Polysorbate 80 were used for stabilization of the nanoparticles. All precursors were nontoxic, environmentally friendly substances, and the method is usable even for preparation of large quantities of product. Therefore, it could be useful for various applications even on industrial scale and could provide useful alternatives to more expensive or environmentally dangerous methods.