The anodic behaviour of copper was investigated in ethanol solution containing LiClO4, LiCl electrolyte and water. The type of electrolyte and the water content influences the mechanism of the anodic process and the formation of anodic products. In LiClO4 electrolyte the dissolution of copper is related to the oxidation of Cu(I) to Cu(II). In solutions of LiCl the etching of copper begins with the creation of soluble complexes of Cu(I) with chloride ions and solvent molecules. At potentials above 0.4 V the formation of alkoxides was observed in both solutions, characterized by a yellow tint. On the other hand, above 0.8 V (i.e. above the equilibrium potential of alcohol oxidation) copper dissolution is accompanied by the formation of a blue colloidal suspension of Cu (II) copper salt. Anodic etching of copper in solutions containing 3% H2O at potentials higher than 0.4 V leads to the formation of colloidal suspension of copper oxide nanoparticles.
