Chemical Properties
Copper metal, metal compounds and alloys are often used in “hot” operations in the workplace. The workplace operations include, but are not limited to, welding, brazing, soldering, plating, cutting, and metalizing. At the high temperatures reached in these operations,
metals often form metal fumes that have different health effects.
Health Hazard
Exposures to copper fume cause fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, dry throat, coughing,
weakness, lassitude, irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, skin, upper respiratory tract, chest
tightness, nose bleed, edema, and lung damage. Symptoms of copper fume poisoning also
include metallic or sweet taste, skin itching, skin rash, skin allergy, and a greenish color to
the skin, teeth, and hair. Workers have increased risk of Wilson’s disease.
Definition
A
black solid prepared by the action of heat
on copper(II) nitrate, hydroxide, or carbonate.
It is a basic oxide and reacts with
dilute acids to form solutions of copper(II)
salts. Copper(II) oxide can be reduced to
copper by heating in a stream of hydrogen
or carbon monoxide. It can also be reduced
by mixing with carbon and heating the
mixture. Copper(II) oxide is stable up to its
melting point, after which it decomposes to
give oxygen, copper(I) oxide, and eventually
copper.
Reactions
Copper(II) oxide dissolves in mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid or nitric acid to give the corresponding copper(II) salts:
CuO + 2 HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + H2O
CuO + 2 HCl → CuCl2 + H2O
CuO + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + H2O
It reacts with concentrated alkali to form the corresponding cuprate salts:
2 MOH + CuO + H2O → M2[Cu(OH)4]
It can also be reduced to copper metal using hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or carbon:
CuO + H2 → Cu + H2O
CuO + CO → Cu + CO2
2 CuO + C → 2Cu + CO2
When cupric oxide is substituted for iron oxide in thermite the resulting mixture is a low explosive, not an incendiary.
benefits
Cupric oxide is an oxide of the mineral copper. It is an essential element needed by the body to perform a host of functions.
Cupric oxide is used by specific enzymes to help in the production of energy, to create collagen and elastin, to metabolize iron, and in many functions of the brain and central nervous system. Cupric oxide is found in health supplements such as vitamins and health aid treatments.
Copper is a mineral that is needed in the body in small doses but has the ability to become toxic at high levels. Additional supplements of copper beyond what you should get in your normal diet should be discussed with a doctor.
General Description
Copper oxides (Cu2O, CuO) are p-type semiconductor materials with small band gap energy. High physical and chemical stability of metal oxide nanoparticles renders them extremely useful in catalytic applications.The structures of the compounds are monoclinic. Nanoscaled copper oxide compounds can be prepared by thermal plasma technology. A study reports its antimicrobial properties.
reaction suitability
reagent type: catalyst
core: copper
Toxics Screening Level
The ITSL for cupric oxide is being set at a value, which is 2 μg/m3 with 8-hour averaging, based on the copper fume TLV of 0.2 mg/m3.
