SEYED JAVAD AHMADI - NFCS, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, End of North Karegar Ave. Po. Box: ۱۴۳۹۹۵۱۱۱۳, Tehran, Iran.
MORTEZA HOSSENPOUR - Department of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Ave, P.O.Box۱ ۱۳۶۵۸۶۳۹, Tehran,Iran.
MOHAMMAD OUTOKESH - Department of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Ave. P.O.Box۱ ۱۳۶۵۸۶۳۹, Tehran, Iran.

Ultra fine copper oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by using a supercritical water method. The produced nanoparticles had an average size of 1.6 nm, and were characterized by X-ray difractometery (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen gas adsorption test (BET) for measuring the surface area, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) to result in the yield of reaction and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for estimating of impurity content (Cu(OH)4NO3). The results demonstrated appreciable potential of the hydrothermal supercritical methods for the synthesis of inorganic metal oxides. The second goal of the study was elucidation of the mechanisms of effects of operational conditions (e.g. temperature) on the abovementioned target parameters, through application of the appropriate mechanisms of formation of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are suggested to form initially in the liquid phase as Cu(OH)2 that are later transformed to Cu(OH)3NO, and through which to CuO product. Decomposition of nitric acid also plays role in this mechanism. Fabricated nanoparticles are effective catalyst for synthesis of benzoheterocycle compounds in pharmaceutical industries.

CuO Nanoparticles, Catalyst, Hydrothermal synthesis, Supercritical water