Embedding copper nanoparticle-anchored conductive nano-blocks in polyelectrolyte

Conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or alternatively polyaniline (PANI) nano-blocks was introduced into aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and copper (II) salt, to assist the reduction of copper (II) ions and the anchoring of the resulting copper nanoparticles onto the conductive blocks. The mixture solutions of nano-blocks, copper (II) salts and PVA were spin-coated onto the cathode surface, forming swollen cathode films (SCFs). The copper (II) ions in the film assembled onto the surfaces of the conductive blocks and were then reduced under an appropriate voltage. It is important that the copper nanoparticles grew only on the surfaces of the conductive blocks. PVA which acted as the matrix of the composites played a role in stabilizing the resulting copper nanoparticles. Morphologies of these polymeric composite films were studied by various characterization methods. Moreover, the mechanism of migration of copper (II) ions, the formation of these polymeric composites, and the overall procedure were investigated in detail.