Why doesn’t copper oxide react with water?

Copper oxide does not dissolve in water, and metal oxides that are not easily soluble in water cannot react with water. If they do not react with water, metal oxides are 100% insoluble in water.

Compared with many other metal oxides, copper oxide is relatively inactive at room temperature and does not react with water. This is because the reaction between copper oxide and water needs to overcome a certain energy barrier, and this energy barrier is relatively high, requiring higher energy for the reaction to occur.

Introduction to copper oxide

Copper oxide (chemical formula CuO) is a black oxide of copper, slightly amphoteric, slightly hygroscopic, with a relative molecular mass of 79.545, a density of 6.3~6.9 g/cm, and a melting point of 1026°C. It is insoluble in water and ethanol and soluble in water. It dissolves slowly in acid, ammonium chloride and potassium cyanide solutions, ammonia solutions, and can react with strong alkali. Copper oxide is mainly used in the production of rayon, ceramics, glazes and enamels, batteries, petroleum desulfurizers, pesticides, and also For hydrogen production, catalysts, green glass, etc.

In water, copper oxide decomposes into copper oxide ions and hydrogen ions while releasing heat. The equation of this reaction is:

Although copper oxide does not react directly with water, it can react with acids to produce salt and water. For example, copper oxide can react with hydrochloric acid to produce copper chloride and water. The reaction equation is:

In short, copper oxide is relatively inactive. It does not react with water because the reaction between copper oxide and water needs to overcome a particular energy barrier, and this energy barrier is relatively high. Although copper oxide does not react directly with water, it does can react with acid to produce salt and water.

Reaction between copper oxide and dilute sulfuric acid

Amphoteric oxides refer to oxides that become alkaline when exposed to strong acid and acidic when exposed to strong alkalis. They can interact with both acid and alkali. Both produce salt and water. Oxides of amphoteric elements and intermediate valence states of variable valence metals are usually amphoteric oxides.

Since dilute sulfuric acid is a strong acid, copper oxide shows alkalinity. It undergoes a metathesis reaction in the essential response with dilute sulfuric acid to generate the corresponding salt CuSO4 and water. The chemical equation of the reaction between copper oxide and dilute sulfuric acid is CuO+H2SO4=CuSO4+H2O. The phenomenon of this reaction is that black copper oxide gradually dissolves in a dilute sulfuric acid solution, and a blue solution is produced.

This reaction is very common and is usually used to prepare copper sulfate in industrial production. Anhydrous copper sulfate is a white or off-white powder. Copper sulfate has many industrial values and uses. It can be used as a fertilizer and a bactericide. The most common bactericidal application is in swimming pools. In addition, copper sulfate is also used in textiles, leather, wood, batteries, ink, petroleum, paint and metal.

Application of copper oxide

1. Ceramics

Light copper oxide is widely used in the production of ceramic products. After high sintering treatment, light copper oxide can increase the hardness, strength and strength of ceramic products. In addition, it can also improve the conductivity and magnetism of ceramic materials, improve their physical properties and corrosion resistance.

2. Electronic components

Lightweight copper is also widely used in the manufacturing of electronic components. It can be used as a semiconductor material to make PN junctions, tubes, transistors and other devices, as well as integrated circuit circuits.

3. Metal surface treatment agent

Light copper oxide can form an oxide film on the metal surface to prevent corrosion and increase surface quality and strength. In addition, it also has properties such as strong metal corrosion resistance and improved metal surface electrical conductivity and impedance.

4. Catalyst

Lightened copper can be used as a common catalyst to promote chemical reactions. It is usually used to make some important chemical raw materials, such as ethylene, propylene, glycerol, oxalic anhydride, benzoic anhydride, etc. Light oxygen copper has good chemical activity, selectivity and stability and is an ideal catalyst.

5. Fuel pool coating

Light copper oxide can be used as fuel cell electrode coating material to prepare efficient and sustainable anode and cathode materials. It has good electrical properties, high transmittance and optical transparency, and is an ideal fuel cell coating material.

In summary, light oxidation has broad applications and potential in multiple fields. In the future, with the advancement of science and technology and the growth of industrial production, people’s demand for lightweight copper oxide will increase, which will promote its application in more fields.

Supplier

TRUNNANO is a supplier of copper oxide materials with over 12 years experience in nano-building energy conservation and nanotechnology development. It accepts payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union and Paypal. Trunnano will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea. If you are looking for high-quality copper oxide materials, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry.