Copper is widely known as the metal asset of the Chilean country. Its use in coins as well as in many objects people must handle on daily basis has been observed as a unique opportunity to keep infections at bay. However, the metal when exposed to humidity and aerated conditions and contact with human skin excreting organic substances allows the triggering of oxidation reactions, risking triggering allergies in the population.
This research study aims at reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of different technologies used to stabilise electrodeposited copper when facing the presence of oxidation conditions in conjunction to the exposure to the contact with human skin. Several strategies are reviewed showing that preliminary results indicate that pure classic electrochemical strategies do not provide a good stabilization. Beyond the irreversibility usually observed in the anodic current of molecular oxygen formation the metal-organic complex formation would promote the thermodynamic stabilisation of oxidised copper creating a layer of Cu(II) which would enhance further oxidation reaction steps.
Further studies in the field of surface adsorption represents a promising strategy that could address this issue to ensure good results in copper stabilization providing a long-term safe handling of materials covered with it.
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