Preparation and characterization of Cu3Sn nanoparticles via a facile ultrasonic irradiation

Cu₃Sn nanoparticles were prepared with ease by allowing bulk tin to react with copper acetate under ultrasonic irradiation. The microstructure and thermal stability of resultant Cu₃Sn nanoparticles were analyzed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In the meantime, the possible growing mechanism of Cu₃Sn nanoparticles was presented; and the tribological properties of Cu₃Sn nanoparticles as lubricating additives were evaluated. It has been found that as-synthesized hexagonal Cu₃Sn nanoparticles are of spherical shape and have a narrow size distribution and an average diameter of 90 nm. The growth of Cu₃Sn nanoparticles involves three stages of ultrasonic dispersion, reaction and surface modification. Besides, ultrasonic irradiation in combination with surface-capping by oleic acid contributes to prevent on-growing Cu₃Sn nanoparticles from aggregation, making it feasible for Cu₃Sn nanoparticles to be well dispersed in lubricating base stock and significantly increase the antiwear ability and load-carrying capacity of liquid paraffin.