Pinecone-like Cu(II) crystal growth on the surface of amine-group-immobilized polymers

Abstract

Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used to monitor pinecone-like Cu(II) crystal growth on polymeric fibers for various growth times. In FESEM images, Cu(II) complexes and Cu(OH), crystal growth on poly(acryloamidino ethylene amine) and poly(acryloamidino diethylenediamine) were observed. Up to an elapsed time of 16 min, crystal growth was observed in only one direction. However, after an elapsed time of 20 h, pinecone-like crystals covered the entire surfaces of the synthesized polymers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used for analysis. (C) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.