Method of producing fine-particle copper powders
AssigneePhibro Wood, LLC
InventorGang Zhao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for producing finely divided copper or copper alloy powders are described, from compositions containing metal ions and an alkanolamine, preferably monoethanolamine, wherein the alkanolamine acts as a primary reducing agent. In preferred embodiments the methods for producing micron and submicron copper powder utilize precursor compositions containing copper ions in the form of submicron particles of copper carbonate, copper hydroxide, copper oxides, or any combination thereof, and utilize monoethanolamine (or optionally but less preferably hydrazine), and preferably additionally containing caustic and a reducing sugar.
Claims18
A method of making finely divided copper or copper alloy powder, said method comprising adding monoethanolamine to a slurry comprising finely divided particles of a solid copper-containing precursor compound selected from the group consisting of a copper salt, copper carbonate, copper hydroxide, cupric oxide, cuprous oxide, or any combination thereof, said monoethanolamine being present in an amount between 1.5 to 2 grams of monoethanolamine per gram of copper, wherein the temperature is between 90° C. and 150° C., for a time sufficient to convert the precursor compound to a copper powder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.