In situ Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticle Embedded Free Standing Multifunctional PDMS Films

Abstract

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.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Coating onto Magnetic Nanoparticles Induced by Attractive Electrostatic Interaction

“…Magnetic PDMS is intended to be used in pumping or actuating systems in micro-systems [2,6,14,15,32]. The main PDMS used in microfluidics is the Sylgard 184, which allows good elasticity and mechanical stability.…”

“…In the case of a curable polymer matrix such as PDMS, obtaining very fine dispersions are rendered more difficult due to the polymer's low surface energy. Different strategies were used to overcome this issue [2,9,[13][14][15]. The use of oleic acid is a good pathway to disperse nanoparticles into this hydrophobic polymer [16][17][18].…”

Removal of Organic Compounds from Water by Using a Gold Nanoparticle–Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Nanocomposite Foam

“…[19] After heating the AuPDMS-2 and PDMS foam, the FTIR spectrum shows presence of only three characteristic absorption bands attributed to SiÀ OÀSi, SiÀC, and SiÀOÀC stretching, which indicates complete decomposition. The strong signal at 1105 cm À1 in pyrolyzed end product of PDMS corresponds to SiÀOÀSi stretching, which is due to the formation of amorphous silica, as also seen in the XRD pattern ( Figure S6 in the Supporting Information).…”

A Simple Water‐Based Synthesis of Au Nanoparticle/PDMS Composites for Water Purification and Targeted Drug Release

“…Ajayan and coworkers synthesized Au, Ag, and Pt nanoparticle/PDMS composite films by introducing the metal salt in organic solvents with the uncured PDMS and allowing the nanoparticles to reduce during curing. [25] The resulting materials show enhanced Young's modulus and exhibit antibacterial properties. In this paper, we introduce a simple, green method of preparing the nanocomposites that uses only plain water as the medium.…”