Types Of Copper Oxide And Its Uses
Copper is a good conductor of electricity, making it useful in many applications. However, the properties change after Oxidation. Copper Oxide is a compound that is formed after the combination of two elements, Copper and Oxygen. It can be of four types:
1. Copper (I) Oxide
2. Copper (II) Oxide
We can very quickly reduce the Copper Oxide back to Copper by applying heat to it. The heat can be replaced by electricity in some cases. Though we name four different types of Copper Oxide, Cupric Oxide and Cuprous oxide are the two forms commonly used for various purposes. Of the two, Cupric oxide is widely used in the fireworks industry. Cupric Oxide (Black) is a coloring agent that also helps increase the brightness of the spark in fireworks. As a firework’s propellant, it logarithmically increases the oxygen content in the fireworks, ultimately increasing the brightness.
Let us get into some details about Copper Oxide uses and types.
Types of Copper Oxide:
1. Copper (I) Oxide
Copper (I) Oxide has the chemical formula Cu2O and is known as Cuprous Oxide. It is covalent and can be reduced by Hydrogen by applying heat. It is subjected to acid solution for disproportionation and produces Copper (II) Oxide. To get vice versa, the Copper (II) Oxide can react with metallic Copper in the presence of heat to produce Copper (I) Oxide. Cuprous Oxide appears in red in solid form. The reaction with the air creates a thin oxide layer that acts as a barrier against corrosion.
Uses
1. The anti-corrosion property makes it ideal for painting the bottom of the ships sailing in the sea. It is done to protect the ship’s surface against the damage caused by seawater. It is also used as a component of anti-fouling paints.
2. It is used in photocells to fabricate products such as light meters and rectifiers.
3. Copper Oxide is also used in high-tech products, including semiconductors and superconductors.
4. It is also used in seed dressings.
5. It is used in many thermoelectric materials and other areas, such as glass and sensing materials.
2. Copper (II) Oxide
The compound Copper (II) Oxide with the chemical formula CuO is also called Cupric Oxide. It is an inorganic compound used as a precursor in many copper products. It is found naturally on the Earth. For synthetic preparation, Copper metal is heated in the air to get Cupric Oxide. It is mixed as a component in many over-the-counter supplements for vitamins and minerals for human consumption.
Uses
1. It is actively used as a component of the pigments used to color various products, including enamels, artificial gems, and ceramics.
2. It is also used in manufacturing insecticides and fumigants.
3. Copper (II) Oxide is used as an anti-fouling agent for painting the boat hulls.
4. Wood industry is also one of the popular application areas where Cupric Oxide is used in wood preservatives.
5. Cupric Oxide is used as a firework propellant.
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