Ultrafine copper powders were prepared by the air-jet milling of copper oxide (CuO) powders and a subsequent hydrogen (H2) reduction. After milling, the particle size and grain size of CuO powders decreased, while the specific surface area and structural microstrain increased, thereby improving the reaction activity. In a pure H2 atmosphere, the process of CuO reduction was conducted in one step, and followed a pseudo-first-order kinetics model. The smaller CuO powders after milling exhibited higher reduction rates and lower activation energies compared with those without milling. Based on the unreacted shrinking core model, the reduction of CuO powders via H2 was controlled by the interface reaction at the early stage, whereas the latter was limited by the diffusion of H2 through the solid product layer. Additionally, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that copper powders after H2 reduction presented a spherical-like shape, and the sintering and agglomeration between particles occurred after 300 °C, which led to a moderate increase in particle size. The preparing parameters (at 400 °C for 180 min) were preferred to obtain ultrafine copper powders with an average particle size in the range of 5.43-6.72 μm and an oxygen content of less than 0.2 wt.%.
Keywords: copper powder; hydrogen reduction; kinetics; mechanical milling; ultrafine.