DID YOU KNOW? What kind of metallurgical technology did humans master 5,000 years ago?
DID YOU KNOW? The lack of this element in the human body can lead to anemia, weakened immunity, unstraight hair, crisp texture and easy breakage.
The history of human discovery and use of copper dates back to prehistoric times. The earliest bronze artifacts were found at the ruins of Troy in Turkey, and they are presumed to date back to around 3000 BC. In China, the earliest bronze ware appeared in the Shang Dynasty, when the bronze ware was mainly used to make ** and ritual vessels.
In ancient times, a variety of copper ores were discovered and mined, including malachite, azurite, and cuprite. They heated the ore to high temperatures, smelted and refined it to produce pure copper. The first copper products were forged directly from ore, and later people began to mix copper with other metals such as tin to create more rigid and durable bronzes.
Around 3000 BC, bronze tools began to be used in the Middle East, marking the beginning of the Bronze Age. During this period, people began to use smelting technology to make a variety of bronze products, including **, tools, ornaments and works of art. In China, the Shang Dynasty was also the peak of bronze ware, when bronze making technology was quite mature.
Over time, there has been a greater understanding of the properties and uses of copper and its alloys. During the Industrial Revolution, copper was widely used in the fields of electricity, electronics, energy and petrochemicals, machinery and metallurgy, which is closely related to its excellent ductility, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. Let's take a closer look at copper as an element.
Copper is a very important metal element with good electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and plasticity, so it has a wide range of applications in many fields.
1.Electrical industry: Copper has extremely high electrical conductivity and is widely used in the manufacture of electrical equipment such as wires, cables, transformers, generators, motors, etc. It can efficiently transmit electrical energy and has low resistance loss, so it is widely used in power transmission and electronic equipment.
2.Electronics industry: Copper is an important material in the semiconductor industry, often used in the manufacture of integrated circuits, electronic components, electronic connectors, etc. Copper's good plasticity and electrical conductivity make it an ideal material for electronic devices.
3.Construction industry: Copper has good corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties, and is widely used in roofs, pipes, columns, etc. in the construction industry. In addition, copper is also commonly used to make doors and windows, decorations and sculptures, etc., which has high decorative and artistic properties.
4.Copper has a wide range of applications, such as in the manufacture of radiators, braking systems, electrical wiring, electronic equipment, etc. Copper's high thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance make it one of the most important materials in the world.
5.Chemical industry: Copper is commonly used in the manufacture of chemical equipment and catalysts, such as reactors, heat exchangers, pipes, etc. Copper's corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity make it play an important role in chemical processes.
6.Daily necessities: Copper products also have certain applications in daily life, such as kitchen utensils, bathroom supplies, home decorations, etc. Copper has antibacterial properties and can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria, so it has certain advantages in daily necessities.
Copper is widely used in electrical, electronics, construction, automotive, chemical and other fields, and its excellent properties make it one of the indispensable materials in many industrial and life fields.
Copper (Cu) is a common metallic element with the following physical properties:
1.Appearance and color: Copper is reddish-brown in color, sometimes slightly shiny.
2.Density: Copper has a higher density of about 896 grams cubic centimeters.
3.Melting and boiling points: The melting point of copper is about 1083 °C (1981 °F) and the boiling point is about 2567 °C (4652 °F).
4.Thermal conductivity: Copper is an excellent thermal conductivity material, with high thermal conductivity, is one of the commonly used materials for making wires and heat sinks.
5.Electrical conductivity: Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity, and its conductivity ranks ahead of all common metals, so it is widely used in the manufacture of conductive components such as wires and cables.
6.Magnetic: Copper is a non-magnetic material that is not affected by magnetic fields.
7.Coefficient of thermal expansion: The coefficient of thermal expansion of copper is relatively small, so the deformation is less at high and low temperatures.
8.Hardness: Pure copper is less hard, but it can be alloyed to increase its hardness.
9.Toughness: Copper has good toughness and can be plastically deformed without breaking under stress.
10.Malleability: Copper is a malleable material that can be processed into various shapes through forging, extrusion, and other processes.
11.Corrosibility: Copper is susceptible to corrosion by oxygen, water, and acids, resulting in a green patina.
Copper is a metal with excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, and malleability.
Copper is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Cu and atomic number 29. Here is a detailed description of several important chemical properties of copper:
1.Reactivity: Copper reacts with oxygen at room temperature to form copper(II) oxide (Cuo). When copper is exposed to wet oxygen, copper-based carbonates (e.g., green rust alum) containing a blue-green rust layer are gradually formed. Copper can also react with sulfides such as hydrogen sulfide to form the corresponding copper sulfide.
2.Solubility: Copper is insoluble in common non-oxidizing acids (such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, etc.). However, in concentrated nitric acid, copper is oxidized to copper ions (Cu2+) and dissolved into a blue-green solution.
3.Formation of complexes: Copper ions can form a variety of complexes, the most common of which are four feathered astrotype complexes [Cu(NH3)4]2+ with ammonia as the ligand. This complex has a bright blue color and is widely used in chemical analysis and laboratory reagents.
4.Electrochemical properties: Copper is a good conductor of electricity and is often used to make wires and wires. In electrochemical reactions, copper can undergo redox reactions. In the anode of copper, copper ions (Cu2+) release electrons to form copper metal. In the cathode of copper, the copper metal loses electrons to form copper ions.
5.Alloy formation: Copper is an important alloying element. It can form various alloys with other metals such as zinc, tin, nickel, etc., to change its hardness, strength, and corrosion resistance. For example, brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
Copper has a variety of chemical properties, including reactivity, solubility, coordination, electrochemical properties, and alloy formation properties. These properties give copper a wide range of applications, from the electronics industry to the construction industry, manufacturing, and more. At the same time, copper is also one of the essential trace elements of the human body, which participates in the normal operation of a variety of physiological functions.
Copper is one of the essential trace elements in the human body and has important biological properties. The following is a detailed description of the biological properties of the copper element::
1.Physiological functions: Copper plays an important role in the human body and participates in the normal operation of a variety of physiological functions. It is a component or cofactor of a variety of enzymes that catalyze many key biochemical reactions, including cellular respiration, energy metabolism, iron metabolism, DNA synthesis and repair, and more.
2.Immune system: Copper is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. It is involved in the production and release of reactive oxygen species from neutrophils, inhibits the proliferation of bacteria and viruses, enhances the function of immune cells, and promotes wound healing processes.
3.Connective tissue formation: Copper plays a key role in the formation of collagen and elastic fibers. It is involved in the cross-linking and structural stability of collagen, maintaining the health of **, blood vessels, bones, and other connective tissues.
4.Erythropoiesis: Copper is also necessary for the erythropoiesis process. It is involved in the transport and metabolism of iron, helping iron to bind to hemoglobin, thereby promoting the normal formation of red blood cells.
5.Nervous system: Copper also plays an important role in the functioning of the nervous system. It is involved in the synthesis and transmission of neurotransmitters and maintains the normal function of nerve cells. Copper deficiency may lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and more.
Although copper is essential for human health, excessive copper intake can also be toxic. Therefore, copper intake needs to be moderately controlled to meet the body's physiological needs, but avoid excessive intake.
Copper is one of the common elements in the earth's crust, and its distribution in nature is described below:
1.Levels in the earth's crust: Copper is found in the earth's crust at an average of about 50 ppm (50 parts per million) and is a moderately abundant element. Although the relative abundance is not high, there is still a large amount of copper in the earth's crust due to the overall volume of the earth's crust.
2.Ore Resources: Copper is mainly found in ores in the form of sulphides, oxides and carbonates. Famous copper ores include chalcopyrite, galena, and chalcopyrite. Copper ore is widely distributed all over the world, mainly in Chile, Peru, China, the United States, Australia and other countries and regions.
3.Natural state: In nature, copper exists in many forms. In addition to the mineral forms in ores, copper is also present in free, ionic, and organic states in soil, rocks, river water, seawater, and living organisms.
4.Geological processes: The distribution of copper is closely related to geological processes. Copper deposits may form during geological processes such as tectonic activity and volcanic eruptions. At the same time, dissolved copper in surface water and groundwater is also affected by geological processes such as rock weathering and dissolution sedimentation.
5.Artificial mining: Copper is an important industrial metal, which is widely used in construction, electronics, transportation, communications and other fields. Humans extract copper from the earth's crust and use it by mining and smelting copper ore. A large number of copper mining and smelting activities have also led to environmental pollution and resource consumption.
Although copper is relatively undistributed in nature, it is still an important metal resource. Human beings have met the needs of industry and life through the mining and utilization of copper ore, but at the same time, they also need to pay attention to environmental protection and sustainable use.
The mining and refining process of copper mainly includes three stages: ore mining, beneficiation and smelting.
1.Ore mining: Copper ore is distributed in the earth's crust, and common ores are chalcopyrite, galena and chalcopyrite. Ore mining is usually carried out through open-pit mining or underground mining. Open-pit mining is used when deposits are shallow and large-scale, using blasting, excavation, and hauling equipment to extract ore from the surface. Underground mining is used when deposits are buried deep and on a small scale, using roadways, ramps, and hoisting equipment to extract ore from the ground.
2.Beneficiation: The ore obtained from mining often contains a variety of impurities and low-grade copper ore. The purpose of beneficiation is to remove impurities and improve the grade of copper by physical, chemical and flotation methods. Physical beneficiation is mainly carried out by gravity separation, magnetic separation and electric separation. Chemical beneficiation uses chemical reactions such as solution extraction, leaching, and dissolution to separate copper. Flotation is the most commonly used beneficiation method, which separates copper ore through the adsorption of bubbles and ore particles.
3.Smelting: The copper ore obtained after beneficiation needs to be further smelted to obtain pure copper metal. The smelting process usually consists of two stages: physical smelting and chemical smelting. Physical smelting mainly separates copper from other metals in ore through methods such as smelting and electrolysis. Smelting generally uses a high-temperature furnace to heat the ore to its melting point so that the copper is melted and collected. Electrolysis uses an electrolytic cell to reduce the copper ions in the ore to pure copper. Chemical smelting separates copper from ore through chemical reactions such as extraction, leaching and reduction.
The mining and refining process of copper includes three stages: ore mining, beneficiation and smelting. Through these processes, pure copper metal can be extracted from the earth's crust for use in a variety of industrial and domestic applications.
Common methods for detecting copper include the following:
1.Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS): Atomic absorption spectroscopy is a commonly used quantitative analysis method that uses absorption spectra of specific wavelengths to determine the concentration of copper in a sample. It atomizes the sample to be measured in a flame and then measures the absorption of copper in the sample by a spectroscopic instrument. This method is suitable for the detection of higher concentrations of copper.
2.Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES): Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry is a highly sensitive and selective analytical method that is widely used for multi-element analysis. It determines the specific wavelength and intensity of copper emission in a spectroscopic instrument by atomizing the sample and forming a plasma.
3.Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry is a highly sensitive and high-resolution analytical method for isotope ratio determination and trace element analysis. It determines the mass-to-charge ratio of the copper element in a mass spectrometry instrument by atomizing the sample and forming a plasma.
X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF): X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy uses the fluorescence spectrum produced by a sample when it is excited by X-rays to analyze the content of elements. It enables rapid, non-destructive determination of the copper content in a sample. Spectrophotometry: This method uses a colorimetric with a specific reagent to react with copper ions to form a colored compound, and the amount of copper is determined based on the absorbance or color depth of the colored compound generated. These methods are widely used in laboratories and industry for the quantitative analysis and quality control of copper. Choosing the right method depends on factors such as the type of sample, the required detection limit, and the accuracy of the detection.
In elemental measurement, atomic absorption method has high accuracy and sensitivity, which provides an effective means to study the chemical properties, compound composition and content of elements.
Next, we use atomic absorption to measure the amount of copper. The specific steps are as follows:
Prepare the sample to be tested. The sample to be measured is prepared into a solution, which is generally digested with mixed acids to facilitate subsequent measurements.
Choose the right atomic absorption spectrometer. Depending on the nature of the sample to be measured and the range of copper content to be measured, select the appropriate atomic absorption spectrometer.
Adjust the parameters of the atomic absorption spectrometer. According to the element to be measured and the instrument model, adjust the parameters of the atomic absorption spectrometer, including the light source, atomizer, detector, etc.
Measure the absorbance of the copper element. The sample to be measured is placed in an atomizer and a specific wavelength of optical radiation is emitted through the light source, and the copper element to be measured absorbs this light radiation, resulting in an energy level transition. The absorbance of copper is measured by a detector.
Calculate the amount of copper element. Based on the absorbance and standard curve, the amount of copper is calculated.
The following are the specific parameters used by an instrument to measure copper.
Copper (Cu) standard: metal copper sheet or copper wire (9999％）。
Method: Weigh 1000 g of metallic copper, dissolved in a small amount of (1 1) Hno3, accurately set to 1L, the concentration of Cu in this solution is 1000 g ml. Store in a polyethylene bottle protected from light.
Flame Type: Air acetylene, lean flame.
Analysis parameters: wavelength (nm) 3247
Spectral bandwidth (nm) 02
Filter factor 03
Recommended lamp current (mA) 3
Negative high pressure (V) 30225
Burner head height (mm) 6
Integration time(s) 3
Air pressure and flow rate (mpa, ml min) 024
Acetylene pressure and flow rate (mpa, ml min) 005，1600
Linear range (g ml) 0019～3
The linear correlation coefficient is 09991
Characteristic concentration (g ml) 0019
Limit of Detection (g ml) 0006
rsd(％)0.25
Calculation method: Continuous method.
Solution acidity 05％ hno3
Tested**:
Calibration curves:
Interference: The analytical solution should be maintained at a certain acidity to avoid the formation of Cu(OH)2 precipitates. No interference was observed in the air acetylene flame.
In practice, it is necessary to select the appropriate measurement method according to the specific needs of the site. These methods are widely used in laboratories and industries for the analysis and detection of copper.
Copper, the metal that is ubiquitous in our daily lives, is full of endless charm and possibilities for its history, properties, uses, and future development. From ancient times to the present, the uses of copper have been constantly evolving and changing, from the first tools and ornaments, to the modern power and electronics industry, the uses of copper can be said to be diverse and ever-changing.
Copper is chemically stable and has good electrical and thermal conductivity, which makes it widely used in the power and electronics industries. In electrical equipment such as cables, wires, relays, switches, etc., copper is one of the main materials. In addition, copper is also widely used in construction, pipelines, automobiles, and other fields.
Copper mining and smelting also have a long history. From ancient mining and casting technologies to modern smelting and refining technologies, human mining and utilization of copper has never stopped. Although copper reserves are relatively abundant, with the growing demand for copper, copper is also under pressure. Therefore, improving the reuse efficiency of copper and developing new copper alternative materials are important directions for future development.
As one of the earliest metals discovered and used by human beings, copper has an important position in history, culture, economy and technology. In the future, with the progress and development of science and technology, the use and development direction of copper will be more extensive and deeper. Let's look forward to more wonderful performances of copper in the future!