Synthesis and characterization of micrometer Cu/PVP architectures

Graphical abstract: A simple method for the synthesis of novel micrometer flower-like Cu/PVP architectures was introduced. Highlights: → Micrometer flower-like copper/polyvinylpyrrolidone architectures were obtained by a simple chemical route. → The amount of N2H4·H2O, the reaction temperature, the molar ratio of CuCl2 to PVP and different molecular weights of PVP play an important role in the controlling the morphology of the Cu/PVP architectures. → A possible mechanism of the formation of Cu/PVP architectures was discussed. -- Abstract: Micrometer-sized flower-like Cu/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) architectures are synthesized by the reduction of copper (II) salt with hydrazine hydrate in aqueous solution in the presence of PVP capping agent. The resulting Cu/PVP architectures are investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Cu/PVP flowers have uniform morphologies with an average diameter of 10 μm, made of several intercrossing plates. The formation of Cu/PVP flowers is a new kinetic control process, and the factors such as the amount of N2H4·H2O, reaction temperature, molar ratio of CuCl2 to PVP and molecular weight of PVP have significant effect on the morphology of Cu/PVP architectures. A possible mechanism of the formation of micrometer Cu/PVP architectures was discussed.