Reduction of copper oxide with graphite by mechanical alloying

The reduction of CuO with different amounts of C (CuO:C = 2:1, 2:1.5, and 2:2 molar ratios) driven by mechanical alloying was examined by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that reduction behaviors are closely related to the carbon content. The reduction of CuO for the mixture with 1 mol of carbon follows a two-step process; i.e., CuO → Cu → Cu₂O. However, the CuO can be completely converted to Cu for the mixtures with higher carbon content. A tentative model in terms of solid-state reactions at the interfaces is proposed to explain the effect of carbon content. Additionally, the thermal responses of the premilled mixtures were investigated by thermogravity and differential thermal analysis followed by x-ray identification. Contrary to mechanical alloying, reduction of CuO during thermal treatment follows a transition sequence of CuO → Cu₂O → Cu. The preferential formation of Cu₂O at the early annealing stage is probably due to the involvement of gaseous reduction.