A catalytic oxidation approach to coat copper powder with polyaniline

Abstract To improve the oxidation resistance of fine copper powder, a new catalytic oxidation method was used to coat copper microparticles with polyaniline. In the method, some copper on the surface of copper particles was converted into Cu 2+ , and with the catalysis of Cu 2+ aniline was oxidized by hydrogen peroxide to form the polyaniline coating layer on copper particles. Detected by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), it is proved that the composite particles have fine core–shell structure, their core are copper particles and their shell are mainly composed of compact polyaniline. The stability of the composites was tested by Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) in nitrogen and in air. It is found that the particulate composite is more stable than copper particles in air.