# Local Strain Tuning in Cu Nanoparticles through Glucose-Mediated Synthesis

## TL;DR

This paper shows how glucose-based synthesis can control strain and oxidation in copper nanoparticles, improving their stability and performance.

## Contribution

A new method to tune local strain and Cu oxidation states in nanoparticles using glucose without adding other elements.

## Key findings

- Synthesis conditions affect the Cu(0)/Cu2O ratio and local strain in nanoparticles.
- Lower Cu(0) and Cu2O amounts correlate with longer Cu–Cu and Cu–O distances.
- Gluconate stabilizes the Cu(0) phase for at least two years in air.

## Abstract

Cu nanoparticles are widely used in different fields.
Controlling
the Cu oxidation state and the local strain is fundamental for optimizing
its efficiency in processes, such as catalytic reactions. In this
work, Cu nanoparticles were synthesized by using glucose as a reducing
agent. Different synthesis conditions led to nanoparticles with a
tunable local strain and Cu(0)/Cu2O ratio. The amounts
of Cu(0) and Cu2O are directly related to the local strain
in the nanoparticles. The lower amount of Cu(0) gives a longer Cu–Cu
distance, and the lower amount of Cu2O is associated with
longer Cu–O distances. It can be attributed to the creation
of interfacial strain at the Cu(0)/Cu2O boundaries, as
demonstrated by molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, the Cu(0)
phase is stable at least up to two years in the air due to the presence
of gluconate at the surface. This study shows that interfacial strain
can be manipulated without the addition of other elements through
a facile route.