Effect of PVP and reaction time to the morphology of synthesized nickel nanowires

Nanostructured metals have been utilized in numerous applications because of their advantage due to their enhanced properties. In this study, chain-like nickel (Ni) nanowires with diameters 100 to 500 nm and lengths up to 8.5 µm were synthesized using a simple chemical reduction method in the absence and presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed the successful synthesis of Ni using the chemical reduction method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the formation of bead-like Ni nanowires upon the addition of PVP. On the other hand, smoother Ni nanowires were formed in the absence of PVP. Also, increasing the reaction time resulted in longer nanowires. Addition of PVP and increasing the reaction time affected the morphology of Ni nanowires.