Facile synthesis of Cu nanoparticles by utilizing ethanolammonium sulfate for facilitated gas transport

•Dissociation mechanism of Cu flakes into surface activated nanoparticles.•Synthesis of Cu nanoparticles by utilizing ethanolammonium sulfate.•Highly positively polarized surface for facilitated gas transport. From metallic copper flakes, monodispersed copper nanoparticles with a mean diameter of less than 15nm were prepared using a straightforward, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly method by utilizing ethanolammonium sulfate at room temperature. No other reducing agents, capping agents, dispersants were added, making it a green process. The copper particles were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The formation mechanism of copper nanoparticles is also discussed.