Synthesis and characterisation of copper(II) hydroxide gels

The formation of copper(II) hydroxide gels from aqueous precursors requires very critical conditions. Gels have been obtained by adding ammonia to aqueous solutions of copper(II) acetate, in the presence of a small amount of sulphate ions. Other salts (chloride, nitrate, sulphate) or bases (NaOH, KOH) lead to precipitation rather than gelation. These gels are actually made of an intimate mixture of acetate-based organic/inorganic polymers and nanometric posjnakite crystals Cu₄(OH)₆(SO₄) · H₂O. Acetate ions and ammonia can be partially removed upon washing, which after drying leads to crystalline copper(II) hydroxide needles deposited on a strongly oriented layer of posjnakite crystals. A theoretical model based on the electronegativity equalisation principle is used to describe these experimental results. It provides a better understanding of the role of complexing anions during the formation of condensed phases.