A universal method for the synthesis of metal and metal sulfide clusters embedded in polymer matrices

Abstract

Alkanethiolates of transition metals undergo thermolysis reactions at moderately low temperatures (120-200 uC), producing metal atoms or metal sulfide molecules and an organic by-product (disulfide or a thioether). Metal n-alkanethiolates (i.e., Me x (SC n H 2n11 ) y , with n ~12, 16 and 18) dissolve in polymers and the resulting solid solutions can be annealed to give polymer-embedded metal or metal sulfide clusters (i.e., metal/polymer nanocomposites). As an example, the preparation of silver, gold, cobalt and palladium clusters dispersed in polystyrene has been described, but the method is very general and a variety of metal/polymer and metal sulfide/polymer combinations can be obtained.

Micro- and nanostripes of self-assembled Au nanocrystal superlattices by direct micromolding

“…Metal alkanethiolates have been extensively used in nanocrystal preparations [43], despite their low solubility in common solvents [44]. We decided to carry out an in situ synthesis of a thiolate followed by its decomposition, as thiolates are known to give rise to uniform sized Au nanocrystals upon thermolysis [45].…”

Structural studies of thin films of semiconducting nanoparticles in polymer matrices

“…Zn(SR) 2 and Cd(SR) 2 bis-thiolates were used as precursors for ZnS and CdS nanoparticles, respectively. The thiolates precursors were prepared by reaction of Cd(NO 3 ) 2 [Zn(NO 3 ) 2 ] and 2RSH, where R = -(CH 2 ) 11 CH 3 , in ethanol solution [8,9]. Topas (TP) (Ticona, grade 50.13) was used as a polymer matrix for its excellent optical properties (e.g.…”

“…In our work we grow cadmium sulphide (CdS) and zinc sulphide (ZnS) nanoparticles directly within a polymer matrix by a thermolysis process [8,9]. In such a procedure a suitable precursor is dispersed in a polymer solution and a precursor/polymer foil is obtained by casting after the solvent evaporation.…”

Synthesis of gold nano-plates by mercaptide thermolysis in poly(vinyl acetate)

“…Recently, a novel in situ chemical route for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles confined in polymeric matrices has been developed [3]. Such approach is based on the thermal decomposition of special metal precursors (namely homoleptic mercaptides) dissolved into a polymeric medium.…”