Abstract Experimental investigation combining theoretical understanding is of great significance to the education in chemistry. In this paper, the reduction of copper oxide in hydrogen and carbon monoxide atmosphere was explored by using in-situ X-ray diffraction technique (in-situ XRD). The experimental result found that copper oxide was gradually reduced to cuprous oxide and copper in hydrogen or carbon monoxide atmosphere from 300 ℃ and these three phases existed at the same time. All the copper oxides was converted into copper until the temperature rose to 450~500 ℃. The experimental result showed that the reduction of copper oxide is not a homogeneous process by gradually reducing CuO → Cu2O → Cu, indicating that the pure cuprous oxide phase which could be obtained theoretically was not obtained in the experiment, and the reason for which was presented. In addition, it is of great importance that advanced scientific instrument is applied to the teaching-learning activity for undergraduates.
WANG Wei-Wei, XU Kai, LIU Hao-Xin, SONG Qi-Sheng, JIA Chun-Jiang. Investigation of the Phase Change of Copper Oxide in Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide Atmosphere by in-situ X-ray Diffraction Technique[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2020, 41(6): 22-26.
