Dispersion of functionalized silver nanoparticles in polymer matrices: Stability, characterization, and physical properties

Abstract

Three types of silver/polymer nanocomposite films were prepared: (1) silver/polymethyl methacrylate, (2) silver/polystyrene, and (3) silver/polyt‐butyl methacrylate by mixing colloidal solution of functionalized Ag nanoparticles with solution of pre‐made polymers. The nanoparticles are randomly dispersed into the matrices. The desired surface functionality of Ag nanoparticle was achieved by using specific amphiphilic block copolymer (specific hydrophobic block part) as stabilizer. The stability of nanoparticles in these host hydrophobic polymer matrices was determined after annealing the nanocomposite films at high temperature. The nanoparticles remained stable and no agglomeration occurred upon annealing up to 120°C. Up to 20 wt% of block copolymer stabilized Ag nanoparticles (11% Ag) was successfully loaded in the polymer matrix. Such a dispersion of Ag nanoparticles into a hydrophobic polymer matrix significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films. The storage and loss modulus increase with increasing Ag nanoparticles content. Compared with a polymer matrix, the polymer/Ag nanocomposites film (containing 0.65% of Ag) prepared by this method displayed storage modulus that are up to 130% higher. This is attributed to the high surface area of the polymer coated Ag nanoparticles in the polymer matrix and van der Waal's attraction force between surface of Ag nanoparticles (polymer brush) and host polymer matrix. Comparison of thermal properties of polymer and polymer/Ag nanocomposite films showed that the thermal stability of nanocomposites increases by about 20°C. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers

Poly(dimethylsiloxane)-containing thermoplastic elastomer/gold-silver alloy nanocomposites for thermally/oxidatively stable and antimicrobial coating

“…Thus, polymer NC is an attractive material in as much as the physical properties of the polymer NCs enhance to many folds compared to host polymer . Both bulk and surface properties (optical, mechanical, thermal, and surface degradation) of a polymer can dramatically be altered by the incorporation of small amount of nanosized particles into it . The previous publications reported the use of dispersed silver (Ag) NPs for the enhancement of biocompatibility of the host polymer , for coloration of silk and cotton fibers , for the enhancement of mechanical properties of host polymer , and for the prevention of surface degradation of host polymer matrix .…”

Nanoparticle–Polymer Synergies in Nanocomposite Hydrogels: From Design to Application

“…Typically, hydrogels with a 3D network structure not only act as a container for loading metallic NPs but also serve as a reactor for the nucleation and growth of NPs. The second is the use of reactive metallic NPs as cross‐linkers to produce hydrogels with free‐radical polymerization . Compared with the first embedding method, the latter approach results in metallic NC gels with mechanical strength enhanced by strong interfacial interactions between the polymer and surface‐modified metallic NPs.…”

Formation mechanism of robust silver nanoparticle film with superhydrophobicity

“…3 A large number of studies have been devoted to the preparation of noble metal nanoparticles in order to utilize surface-plasmon-derived electric-field enhancements for the amplification of optical signals, such as fluorescence, Raman scattering, and second-harmonic generation. [4][5][6][7][8] In addition, the preparation of thin films composed of noble metal nanoparticles is one of hot interests in recent years. 9 In numerous applications water repellent surfaces are highly desirable.…”