Increasing Polyvinylpyrrolidone Concentration Research Articles

Chitosan-PVA-PVP/nano-clay composite: a promising tool for controlled drug delivery.

In this study, chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) were used to create ternary blends reinforced with organically modified montmorillonite nanoclay. Tramadol was used as a model drug to assess the efficacy of these ternary blends as drug delivery systems. The current work demonstrated the highly controlled release of tramadol via transdermal administration. The results of the FTIR investigation revealed the compatibility of the blending components. Among non-drug-loaded formulations, MC6 is the most stable with a 17.6% weight residue at 505 °C and MC11 is the most stable of all the drug-loaded and non-drug-loaded formulations with a weight residue of 22.0% at 505 °C. The XRD studies of the prepared formulations showed crystalline behavior. However, the SEM analysis revealed that no gaps or mixing components were uniformly dispersed in the nanocomposites. Pharmaceutical tests, such as swelling, dissolution, and permeation rates, revealed a strong influence of the PVA concentration. There was a uniform distribution of drug throughout the films with maximum encapsulation efficiency found for MC7 (96.09 ± 0.31) and minimum encapsulation efficiency for MC11 (90.56 ± 0.34)%. Compared to the sodium acetate (pH 4.5) and potassium phosphate buffers (pH 6.8) the swelling and erosion were higher in hydrochloric acid buffer (pH 1.2). An increase in PVA concentration (or decrease in PVP concentration) increases the swelling, dissolution, and permeation rates. In addition, erosion increased with increasing PVP concentration. Furthermore, the nanoclay-reinforced composite showed high permeation. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the produced nanocomposite could be used as an efficient transdermal drug delivery system.

Core-shell-like Fe2O3/MgO oxygen carriers matched with fluidized bed reactor for chemical looping reforming

• A novel core–shell-like structure Fe-based microsphere is designed. • The particle size of microsphere is affected by the nucleation rate and growth rate. • The Fe-based microsphere shows high chemical looping reforming stability that attributed to the core–shell-like structure. • The formation mechanism of Fe-based microsphere can be expanded to other metal oxide oxygen carrier. Large Fe 2 O 3 /MgO microspheres with core–shell-like structures were synthesized via hydrothermal precipitation method based on the difference solubility product constants of ferrous carbonate and magnesium carbonate. The particle morphology of the Fe 2 O 3 /MgO microspheres is dominated by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), while the diameter of the Fe 2 O 3 /MgO microspheres is affected by the relative nucleation rate and growth rate. The diameter of the Fe 2 O 3 /MgO microspheres decreases with increasing PVP concentration due to the enhanced steric hindrance which inhibits the growth of crystals by hindering the collisions and aggregation between crystals. The particle diameter also decreases with increasing urea concentration, which is attributed to the enhanced nucleation rate of crystals. The reactivity of the core–shell-like Fe 2 O 3 /MgO microsphere used as oxygen carriers for chemical looping dry reforming was also investigated in a fluidized bed reactor. The core–shell-like Fe 2 O 3 /MgO microspheres show good sintering resistance and remarkable cycle stability due to the effective inhibition of iron ion diffusion and surface enrichment.

High k PVP titanium dioxide composite dielectric with low leakage current for thin film transistor

Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) dielectric has the potential to achieve low cost and low energy consumption in the area of Thin Film Transistor (TFT) due to its high relative dielectric constant. However, the large leakage current limits its application. In this paper, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) modified TiO 2 composite dielectric was prepared by the sol-gel method with a series of PVP concentrations. With increasing PVP concentration, the roughness, thickness and band gap increased, the leakage current density first decreased and then increased, while the area capacitance and the relative dielectric constant (k) decreased. After comparison, 0.05 wt% was the optimal modification concentration. TiO 2 : 0.05 wt % PVP composite film had smooth morphology and low roughness. The leakage current density of the Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) device (with the composite film as the insulator layer) was as low as 6.88 × 10 −9 A/cm 2 (at 1 MV/cm), and k is 69.7. PVP modified TiO 2 composite film showed good dielectric characteristics and satisfied the development trend of low leakage current and low energy consumption devices. • Titanium dioxide and Polyvinyl pyrrolidone composite thin film was prepared by sol-gel method. • Structural and electrical parameters varied with polymer concentration. • A high k of 69.66 and a low leakage current density of 6.88 × 10 −9 A/cm 2 were achieved.

Effect of PVP concentration on prepared PEI membranes for potential use on water treatment: effect of additive on membranes prepared for water treatment

Abstract In this work, a series of polyetherimide (PEI) flat sheet membranes were produced with different concentrations of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) addition via the phase inversion method. The effects of additions on membrane morphology and performance were investigated. Synthesized membrane had the properties of ultrafiltration membrane. Although PEI is not widely used for water treatment, in this study, the ferrous iron removal rate was investigated and good results were obtained. Through the membrane production experiments, the PEI content was 22 wt%. PVP was added as a pore-forming agent with concentrations of 2, 4 and 8 wt%. N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) was used as solvent. Distilled water was used for the coagulation bath. After production, all membranes were characterized by using contact angle, permeability, porosity, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT/IR) analyses. With the increasing doses of PVP addition, the permeability of the PEI membranes produced in this study increased, while porosity results were changeable. The permeability was 23 L/m2h bar for the membrane with 2 wt% PVP content, while the permeability for the membrane with 8 wt% PVP content was 32 L/m2h bar. Contact angles increased with PVP addition to PEI membranes. With the increasing PVP concentration, the finger-like pores and the pores located in the sub-layer expanded.

Development and characterization of composite fibers based on tragacanth gum and polyvinylpyrrolidone

This work has been focused on the fabrication and characterization of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/tragacanth gum (GT) fibers prepared by electrospinning technique. The influence of GT amount on the electrospinning of PVP aqueous solutions under different concentrations was studied. Spectroscopic (FTIR and XPS), morphological (SEM) and thermal (DSC and TGA) properties of the electrospun fiber mats were analyzed. In addition, rheological behavior of the polymer solutions was measured to explain the electrospinnability for fiber formation. The results of SEM showed that the GT content exerts an important influence on the fiber morphology. The fiber diameter increased with increasing PVP concentration, whereas the diameter of fibers increased with decreasing GT concentration. One empirical correlation between the diameter of the fibers and the Newtonian viscosity has been proposed. Chemical analysis confirmed the presence of GT in fiber composition and the results of DSC proved that GT influences PVP polymer thermal behavior.

Hydrophilization of polysulfone hollow fiber membranes via addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone to the bore fluid

The novel method of modification of hollow fiber membranes from polysulfone is proposed. The method involves the use of aqueous solutions of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a bore fluid in the dry-jet wet spinning process. Increasing PVP concentration (1–5wt%) in the bore fluid was found to yield in the efficient hydrophilization of the inner skin layer of the hollow fiber membrane. The contact angle of the skin layer was found to decrease from 76° down to 54° when the PVP concentration in the bore fluid is 1wt% and down to 45° – at 5wt%. The FTIR-spectra studies reveal the presence of PVP only on the inner surface of the modified hollow fiber membrane while outer surface was found to represent unmodified polysulfone. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies reveal a difference in the structure of the initial and modified membranes. Introduction of PVP into the bore fluid leads to the marked changes in membrane pure water permeability and rejection. When the bore fluid contains 5wt% of PVP, the rejection coefficient for PVP (Mn=40 000gmol−1) was found to increase from 29% to 85%, and the pure water flux – to decrease from 370 to 130Lm−2 h−1bar−1 compared with the initial membrane. Antifouling characteristics against human serum albumin are shown to be significantly improved for the modified hollow fiber membranes compared with the initial membranes.

Preparation and characterization of asymmetric polyethersulfone nanofiltration membranes: The effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone molecular weights and concentrations

ABSTRACTIn this study, asymmetric flat‐sheet polyethersulfone (PES) nanofiltration (NF) membranes were prepared via immersion precipitation phase inversion with the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The effects of PVP with the molecular weights (MW) from 17 to 1400 kDa and the concentration from 0 to 3.0 wt % on the morphologies and performances of PES membranes were systematically studied. The prepared membranes were characterized by SEM, AFM, ATR‐FTIR, contact angle, membrane porosity, the water flux, and the rejection measurement. The results indicated that the porosity and the hydrophilicity of PES NF membrane increased with increasing PVP concentration, and the hydrophilicity of PES NF membrane also improved with increasing PVP MW. The enhancements of the porosity and hydrophilicity resulted in the higher water flux of PES NF membrane. The rejection of Bordeaux S (MW 604.48 Da) for the prepared PES membrane was increased to above 90% with the low PVP concentration, but it turned to decrease remarkably when the PVP concentration reached to a critical value which related to PVP MW. It was concluded that the addition of a small amount of PVP could significantly increase the permeability of PES NF membrane and maintain its rejection of Bordeaux S above 90%. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43769.

Particle size and crystallographic orientation controlled electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes

Platinum-coated carbon nanotubes (Pt/CNTs) with desired particle size and preferred surface crystallographic orientations have a variety of applications in diverse fields. Pt/CNTs having uniform dispersion of Pt nanoparticles are synthesized via electrodeposition route using CNT coated carbon fiber as the working electrode and H2PtCl6.6H2O as Pt precursor. Particle size and crystallographic orientation of Pt nanoparticles are controlled by using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the protecting agent during electrodeposition in H2SO4 or HCl containing coating baths. Cyclic voltammetric study and X-ray diffraction analysis suggest Pt(100) surface enrichment of Pt nanoparticles in presence of PVP, which increases with increasing PVP concentration. Although the Pt deposition rate decreases significantly in presence of Cl− ions, the enrichment effect is observed both in the H2SO4 as well as the HCl containing baths. The Pt/CNT synthesized in presence of PVP exhibit higher oxygen reduction reaction activity (acidic media) and methanol oxidation activity compared to that synthesized without PVP. The process may be utilized to synthesize Pt based electrocatalysts with controlled particle size and preferred surface orientation.

Fabrication of Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Boehmite Nanofibers by Electrospinning

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/boehmite nanocomposites fibers were successfully prepared by electrospinning using boehmite sol containing PVP as the spinning solution. Several techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to characterize their ingredients, thermal properties and morphology. The results showed that PVP concentration exhibited significant effect on the PVP/boehmite nanofibers morphology. With increasing PVP concentration, the morphology changed from beaded, beaded fiber to uniform fiber. These PVP/boehmite nanofibers can be used as good candidates for continuously preparing uniform and compact alumina nanofibers.

Preparation of PVP-coated copper oxide nanosheets as antibacterial and antifungal agents

Abstract

Large-scale and highly efficient synthesis of micro- and nano-fibers with controlled fiber morphology by centrifugal jet spinning for tissue regeneration

PLLA fibrous tissue scaffolds with controlled fiber nanoscale surface roughness are fabricated with a novel centrifugal jet spinning process. The centrifugal jet spinning technique is a highly efficient synthesis method for micron- to nano-sized fibers with a production rate up to 0.5 g min(-1). During the centrifugal jet spinning process, a polymer solution jet is stretched by the centrifugal force of a rotating chamber. By engineering the rheological properties of the polymer solution, solvent evaporation rate and centrifugal force that are applied on the solution jet, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) composite fibers with various diameters are fabricated. Viscosity measurements of polymer solutions allowed us to determine critical polymer chain entanglement limits that allow the generation of continuous fiber as opposed to beads or beaded fibers. Above a critical concentration at which polymer chains are partially or fully entangled, lower polymer concentrations and higher centrifugal forces resulted in thinner fibers. Etching of PVP from the PLLA-PVP composite fibers doped with increasing PVP concentrations yielded PLLA fibers with increasing nano-scale surface roughness and porosity, which increased the fiber hydrophilicity dramatically. Scanning electron micrographs of the etched composite fibers suggest that PVP and PLLA were co-contiguously phase separated within the composite fibers during spinning and nano-scale roughness features were created after the partial etching of PVP. To study the tissue regeneration efficacy of the engineered PLLA fiber matrix, human dermal fibroblasts are used to simulate partial skin graft. Fibers with increased PLLA surface roughness and porosity demonstrated a trend towards higher cell attachment and proliferation.

Effects of PVP Concentration on the Formation of Size and Shape of Gold (Au) Nanoparticles for Mercury Adsorption

Mercury is a natural occurring element and present in various concentrations in natural gas. Mercury is not only hazardous to human health and the environment but could also attack equipment components resulting in mechanical failure and gas leakage. This sudy describes the preparation of various sizes and shapes of Au nanoparticles for mercury adsorption by using a microwave (MW)-polyol method in the presence of different polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) concentrations (1.9, 3.8 and 5.7 mM) as a polymer surfactant. Mixtures of spherical, triangular, hexagonal, octahedral, decahedral and icosahedral particles were obtained using this rapid method. Sizes and shapes was found strongly depend on the concentrations of PVP. Large spherical particles were the major product of PVP concentrations (1.9 and 3.8 mM), whereas small spherical particles were preferentially produced at the highest PVP concentration (5.7 mM). It should be noted that the polygonal particles also increases with increasing PVP concentrations. The amount of mercury adsorbed using 10 ppm mercury solution is the highest (7.2%) for PVP concentration of 5.7 mM. It is concluded that PVP concentrations affects the formation of sizes and shapes of Au nanoparticles thus affects the mercury adsorption. The present result provides new information about mercury adsorption on Au nanoparticles.

Effect of poly(vinyl)pyrrolidone on the zeta potential and water loss of raw and Na‐rich Saudi bentonite

AbstractThe influence of poly (vinyl) pyrrolidone (PVP) adsorption on the zeta potential and water loss of raw Saudi bentonite (B) and Na‐rich Saudi bentonite (Na‐B) suspensions was investigated. Phase analysis of raw Saudi bentonite was characterized by XRD, and chemical analysis was investigated by XRF. Adsorption study was performed by patch technique. The zeta potential and water loss of B and Na‐B suspensions were measured at different PVP concentrations. PVP adsorption on B was fitted by Freundlich model. For Na‐B, the adsorption isotherm closely fitted the Langmuir model and showed a higher affinity and greater adsorbed amount of PVP than B. Before addition of PVP the zeta potentials of B and Na‐B suspensions were − 30 and − 41 mV, respectively. In presence of PVP the zeta potential of raw bentonite suspension decreased, then increased with increasing PVP concentration; the reverse trend was observed in the case of Na‐B suspension. The presence of PVP greatly influenced the water loss of B dispersion but had a slight effect in the case of Na‐B. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Synthesis of Gold (Au) Nanoparticles for Mercury Adsorption

Problem statement: Mercury is not only hazardous to human health and the environment but could also attack equipment components resulting in a mechanical failure and gas leakage. Approach: Describes the preparation of various sizes and shapes of Au nanoparticles for mercury adsorption by using polyol method under MW heating. Au nanoparticles have been synthesized by a polyol method under Microwave (MW) heating in the presence of Au seed ([Au]1/[Au]0 = 6 of molar ratio) and different Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) concentrations (11.1, 22.2 and 33.3 mM). The amount of mercury adsorbed was determined by analyzing the concentration of mercury solution before and after the contacts with various sizes and shapes of Au nanoparticles. Results: When the lower PVP concentration (11.1 mM) was used, polygonal and spherical nanoparticles were dominantly present, while spherical nanoparticles were preferentially form by using higher PVP concentrations (22.2 and 3.33 mM). It was found that the diameter and length of Au nanoparticles decreased with increasing PVP concentrations. When Au nanoparticles solution was prepared using Au seed, significant changes in sizes and shapes of Au seed occurred. Spherical nanoparticles in the Au seed (22.2 mM) were completely changed to polygonal nanoparticles. The amount of mercury adsorbed using 9 ppm mercury solution on polygonal nanoparticles is higher (64.88%) than spherical nanoparticles (18.77%). Conclusion: These results indicated that mercury adsorption strongly depends on the sizes and shapes of Au nanoparticles. Polygonal nanoparticles adsorbed more mercury than spherical nanoparticles but the amount mercury adsorbed is inversely proportional to their size.

Synthesis and stabilization of Prussian blue nanoparticles and application for sensors

Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles were synthesized by two methods from FeCl 2 and K 3Fe(CN) 6 and from FeCl 3 and K 3Fe(CN) 6 based on the method published by Fiorito et al., and stabilized by different polymers like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH), polydiallyl-dimethyldiammonium chloride (PDDA) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS). The effect of the monomer/Fe 3+ ratio was studied regarding the average particle size and ζ-potential. The forming PB structure was checked by X-ray diffraction. The stabilization was successful for every applied polymer, but the average particle size significantly differs. Particle size distributions were determined by Malvern type nanosizer equipment and by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and zeta potential values were determined for the obtained stabile samples. The results revealed that by using FeCl 2 and K 3Fe(CN) 6 for PB preparation particles with narrow size distribution and average diameter of 1.7 nm occurred but stabilization was necessary. By the other method the dispersion was stabile with 182 nm particles but the particle size exponentially decreased to 18 nm with increasing PVP concentration. Ultrathin nanofilms were prepared on glass support by the alternating layer-by-layer (LbL) method from PB particles and PAH. The morphology of the prepared films was investigated also by AFM. The films were immobilized on interdigitated microsensor electrodes (IME) and tested in sensing hydrogen peroxide and different acids like acetic acid, hydrochloric acid vapors.

Impact of Leveler Molecular Weight and Concentration on Damascene Copper Electroplating

The impact of leveler molecular weight and concentration on bottom-up fill rate, leveling activity, electrolyte polarization, and copper properties of films formed during damascene copper electroplating has been studied. A model leveler, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), at molecular weights ranging from 3,500 to 1,300,000 and at concentrations from 1 to 20 mg/L was found to be effective in reducing excessive plated thickness over superfilling features, while resulting in little loss of bottom-up fill performance. Intermediate PVP molecular weights were most effective in reducing overplating, while the higher molecular weights enhanced fill performance. This behavior is explained in terms of leveler diffusion into features as a function of molecular weight, and leveler impact on electrolyte polarization. Incorporation of sulfur, carbon, and chloride in the plated films increased with increasing PVP concentration and molecular weight. This suggests leveling is accomplished by removal of adsorbed accelerator from the from the film surface during plating by co-deposition with leveler.

The cubic phase of phosphatidylethanolamine film by small angle x-ray scattering

Using small angle x-ray scattering, we have investigated the effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and oleic acid (OA) on the structures of the cubic phase of 1,2-dielaidoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DEPE) films. At lower PVP concentrations, DEPE–PVP mixed films existed in two cubic phases. With increasing PVP concentration in the DEPE–PVP mixed phase, a phase transition from Q229 (Im3m) to Q224 (Pn3m) occurred. The effect of addition of OA to a DEPE–PVP mixed phase was also determined using a certain fixed amount. At 0.5 mol% OA, the presence of low amounts of OA allows the DEPE–PVP–OA system to organize in a cubic Q229 phase. At 1.0 mol% OA, the presence of larger amounts of OA induces formation of coexisting Q229 and Q224 phases. At 1.5 mol% OA, the presence of even larger amounts of OA promotes formation of a cubic Q224 phase in the DEPE–PVP–OA mixture.

Effects of molecular weight of polyvinylpyrrolidone on the glass transition and crystallization of co-lyophilized sucrose

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of molecular weight (MW) of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on glass transition and crystallization of sucrose. Thus, sucrose was co-lyophilized with 2.5 and 5.0% w/w PVP of different molecular weights, which were characterized using gel permeation chromatography. Freeze drying was carried out for 48 h at a shelf temperature of −40°C and a pressure of about 36 Pa. The samples were then dried in a vacuum oven at 24°C for 12 h before drying for a further 12 h at 40°C. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to measure the glass transition temperature ( T g), dynamic crystallization temperature ( T c) and isothermal crystallization induction time ( t c) at 85°C of sucrose. Isothermal water vapour sorption of each sample was also measured at different relative humidities. T g values of sucrose varied from 48.3±0.8°C for freeze-dried (FD) sucrose alone to 58.8±0.8°C for the mixture containing 5.0% PVP of nominal MW 300 K. PVP increased sucrose T g significantly (ANOVA P<0.05). Although there was no significant difference ( P>0.05) in T g of the mixtures containing 2.5% w/w PVP of different MW, samples with 5.0% PVP of MW 300 K produced a significantly higher ( P<0.05) T g than the other mixtures. All mixtures were shown to possess higher ( P<0.01) T c than FD sucrose alone, which exhibited a T c of approximately 85°C. PVP of MW 300 K consistently induced a significantly ( P<0.05) higher T c of sucrose than PVP of smaller MW. Increasing PVP concentration from 2.5 to 5.0% also resulted in a substantial increase in sucrose T c. Using isothermal water vapour absorption, sucrose t c was found to increase up to over 10 times when it was co-lyophilized with 2.5% PVP, the actual value of t c being dependent upon the MW of the PVP. For example, PVP of MW 300 K resulted in a sucrose t c at 85°C (89.1–95.6 min), which was approximately seven times higher than that of 2.5% PVP of MW 24 or 40 K. A longer t c of sucrose was also observed for mixtures containing PVP of MW 300 K than when sucrose was mixed with PVP of smaller MW. Thus the effect of PVP on sucrose T g, T c and t c was found to be dependent upon MW. PVP of higher MW was more efficient in inhibiting sucrose crystallization and by stabilizing glassy structures of the sugar, these polymers may improve the stability of co-lyophilized proteins and peptides.

Effect of Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone on the Thermal Phase Transition of 1,2 Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine Bilayer

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) with phospholipid bilayers in an effort to add a new dimension to our understanding of polymer interaction with lipids. For the preparation of lipid–polymer dispersions, measured amounts of DPPC (1,2 dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and PVP were mixed in chloroform. After complete elimination of organic solvent, the dry mixtures were hydrated at 50–55°C. Interactions between DPPC and PVP were assessed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and photon correlation spectroscopy (PS). Separation of liposomes and micelles was performed by centrifugation. Liquid scintillation counting and a UV spectrophotometer were used for their analysis. PVP added as dry powder or added as aqueous solution to dry lipid or preformed liposomes failed to interact. Only PVP previously dissolved in chloroform interacted with DPPC. The DPPC main phase transition moved to lower temperatures with increasing PVP concentrations. This reduction of the phase transition temperature was accompanied by an increase of the DPPC phase transition enthalpy. Analysis of solubilization indicated that the amount of PVP present in the bilayer is dependent on the PVP bulk concentration. The data suggest interaction of PVP previously dissolved in chloroform with the acyl chains of the phospholipid deep into the bilayer.

Selective Metallization of Silicon Surfaces: The Adsorption of Sterically Stabilized Palladium Particles on H‐Terminated Si(100), , and

The adsorption of nanometer‐sized, palladium‐phosphorus particles onto , , and H‐terminated Si(100) surfaces is described. These colloidal particles were prepared in aqueous solution by the reduction of Pd2+ with hypophosphite in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The sterically stabilized particles catalyze Ni deposition from an electroless solution. High resolution electron microscopy shows that the particle size decreases with increasing PVP concentration in the sol. Several monocrystalline domains were observed in all particle samples. The surface affinity of Pd particles, covered with PVP, and of “free” PVP molecules (i.e., not associated with Pd particles) depends strongly on the type of surface. The large differences in Pd coverage between different types of surface (e.g., and ) offer interesting possibilities for novel pattern‐wise electroless metallization procedures.