Method for stabilizing copper hydroxide
Disclosed is a method of stabilizing copper(II) hydroxide, the method comprising the sequential steps of: (a) combining copper(II) hydroxide, a water-soluble phosphate and water to form a mixture; and (b) drying the mixture. Also disclosed is stabilized copper(II) hydroxide prepared according to said method and a composition comprising stabilized copper(II) hydroxide prepared according to said method and at least one of a surfactant, a solid diluent or a liquid diluent.
1. A method of stabilizing copper(II) hydroxide, the method comprising the sequential steps of:
(a) combining copper(II) hydroxide, a water-soluble orthophosphate and water to form a mixture; and
(b) drying the mixture.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein in (a) a dry copper(II) hydroxide powder is added to a combination of water and the water-soluble orthophosphate.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein in (a) a slurry of copper(II) hydroxide in water is added to a combination of water and the water-soluble orthophosphate.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein in (a) copper(II) hydroxide is added as a high moisture solid to a combination of water and the water-soluble orthophosphate.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the copper(II) hydroxide is crystalline.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the copper(II) hydroxide is prepared by oxidizing copper metal with oxygen in the presence of ammonia.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the copper(II) hydroxide is prepared by a process using phosphate.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the copper(II) hydroxide is prepared by a process using carbonate.
9. Stabilized copper(II) hydroxide prepared according to the method of claim 1 .
10. A composition comprising stabilized copper(II) hydroxide prepared according to the method of claim 1 and at least one of a surfactant, a solid diluent or a liquid diluent.