CHEMICAL AND ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE COMPLEX FORMATION OF Cu, Zn, AND Fe NANOPARTICLES WITH CARBAMIDE

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive chemical and analytical study of the complexation processes of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) nanoparticles with urea in an aqueous medium. The relevance of the topic is due to the need to stabilize the nanoforms of transition metals for further use in agrochemistry, biomedicine, and environmental technologies. Due to their high reactivity, complexation ability, and relatively low toxicity in the nanoform, Cu-, Zn-, and Fe-nanoparticles show great potential for the creation of new functional materials. The main objective of the study was to elucidate the structural and coordination features of the interaction of nanoparticles with urea as a ligand and stabilizer. The synthesized nanoparticles were studied by spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that a metal/ ligand ratio of 3:1 is optimal for effective complex formation. TEM results showed a significant change in particle morphology after stabilization – the formation of clusters with an organic halo. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of Cu–O, Zn–N, and Fe–O coordination bonds with functional groups of urea. The most pronounced complex formation was found for Cu, accompanied by structural changes in the low- frequency range of the spectrum. X-ray phase analysis revealed the preservation of the crystalline structure of the main phase of metals, as well as the presence of oxide impurities (Cu2O, Fe3O4), indicating partial oxidation. The width of the XRD peaks indicates the nanoscale of the obtained structures. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the chemical nature of the metal significantly affects the efficiency and stability of complex formation with urea. The presented data can be used for further development of nanostructured materials with specified functional properties.