Cu nanoparticles are widely used in different fields. Controlling the Cu oxidation state and the local strain is fundamental for optimizing its efficiency in processes, such as catalytic reactions. In this work, Cu nanoparticles were synthesized by using glucose as a reducing agent. Different synthesis conditions led to nanoparticles with a tunable local strain and Cu(0)/Cu2O ratio. The amounts of Cu(0) and Cu2O are directly related to the local strain in the nanoparticles. The lower amount of Cu(0) gives a longer Cu-Cu distance, and the lower amount of Cu2O is associated with longer Cu-O distances. It can be attributed to the creation of interfacial strain at the Cu(0)/Cu2O boundaries, as demonstrated by molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, the Cu(0) phase is stable at least up to two years in the air due to the presence of gluconate at the surface. This study shows that interfacial strain can be manipulated without the addition of other elements through a facile route.

ALBA Synchrotron Light Source Cerdanyola del Vallès 08290 Barcelona Spain

Departamento de Engenharia Química Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Rua Engenheiro Luiz Englert s n°Prédio 12 204 Farroupilha Porto Alegre 90040 060 Brazil

Institute of Environmental Technology CEET VSBTechnical University of Ostrava 17 listopadu 15 2172 Ostrava Poruba 70800 Czech Republic

Instituto de Física del Litoral CONICET UNL Guemes 3450 S3000GLN Santa Fe Argentina

Programa de Pós Graduação em Física Instituto de Física Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Av Bento Gonçalves 9500 Agronomia Porto Alegre 91501 970 Brazil

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