Cu-Ni-P alloy nanoparticles prepared by electrical wire explosion

Cu-Ni-P nanoparticles were produced by electrical explosion of Cu wires coated with electroless Ni. The average composition of the coated wire was Cu₄₉Ni₄₃P₈. X-ray diffraction study revealed that the explosion with a pulse voltage of 28 kV produced a single phase Cu-Ni-P solid solution the average composition of which was Cu₅₆Ni₄₁P₃. The lattice parameter of Cu-Ni-P solid solution was 3.5798 Å. Phosphor was reduced by evaporation during explosion. When the energy to the wire is reduced, a mixture of Cu-rich solid solution and Ni-rich solid solution was produced with increased amount of Ni₃P phase.