On the kinetics of high temperature oxidation of copper foils : a quantitative in situ QEXAFS investigation.

Abstract

Based on previous results [1] further details of the oxidation of copper foil 2 Cu + O{sub 2} {r_arrow} 2 CuO were resolved using high quality, high temperature Cu{sub 2}O and CuO standards for Cu-K XAFS and Cu-K PCA [2] analysis. These were prepared from copper foils using the same experimental techniques as for the oxidation under study. As the reaction can be divided into a step-wise oxidation mechanism: 2 Cu + 0.5 O{sub 2} {r_arrow}Cu{sub 2}O; Cu{sub 2}O + 0.5 O{sub 2} {r_arrow} 2 CuO, we attempted to check whether the formation of CuO is kinetically inhibited (delayed) or whether it takes place simultaneously to the formation of Cu{sub 2}O. To achieve an optimal time resolution the QEXAFS technique [3] was applied. This investigation was completed by XRD and SEM investigations on samples quenched within the oxidation period