We demonstrate a simple one-step method for synthesizing noble metal nanoparticle embedded free standing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite films. The process involves preparing a homogenous mixture of metal salt (silver, gold and platinum), silicone elastomer and the curing agent (hardener) followed by curing. During the curing process, the hardener crosslinks the elastomer and simultaneously reduces the metal salt to form nanoparticles. This in situ method avoids the use of any external reducing agent/stabilizing agent and leads to a uniform distribution of nanoparticles in the PDMS matrix. The films were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The nanoparticle-PDMS films have a higher Young's modulus than pure PDMS films and also show enhanced antibacterial properties. The metal nanoparticle-PDMS films could be used for a number of applications such as for catalysis, optical and biomedical devices and gas separation membranes.

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Ag and Ni are immiscible, mainly due to their large lattice mismatch. This paper reports on their nanoscale formation of solid solution at room temperature by simple reduction reactions which lead to the amorphous Ag-Ni alloy nanoparticles (ANPs) with mono-disperse distribution. Microscopic and spectroscopic studies confirmed dependence of the alloy composition on size of nanoparticles. In the presence of different ligands such as sodium citrate, polyvinyl alcohol and potassium carbonate a mixture of silver oxide and Ag-Ni ANPs was achieved. Stoichiometry of the Ag-Ni ANPs was also found to be strongly dependent on ligands of the reduction reaction and further study shows without any ligand 100% Ag-Ni ANPs was observed in the system. Using Tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium chloride resulted in construction of near-uniform ANPs in the easily controllable conditions of the present alloying procedure. Nanoparticles having up to 65% Ni were observed for the first time in this research.