Self-assembled Pd nanospheres templated with polyvinylpyrrolidone: Electrochemical preparation and their application as novel catalysts in electroless copper deposition

A novel and simple method for the electrochemical preparation of mesoporous self-assembled Pd nanospheres has been developed. The diameters of the self-assembled nanospheres are controlled by varying the concentration ratio of H+ to polyvinylpyrrolidone. The results demonstrate for the self-assembly of Pd nanoparticles to form large Pd nanospheres via the regulation of the steric repulsion force of polyvinylpyrrolidone. The regulation is achieved by the addition of H+ ions. Further, the prepared Pd nanospheres can be successfully used as catalysts for activating electroless copper deposition. The mesoporous nanospheres were found to show excellent catalytic activity.