One‐Pot Hybrid SnO₂/Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nanocomposite Formation through Pulsed Laser Irradiation

Abstract

The localized in situ formation of tin dioxide (SnO ) nanoparticles embedded in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films is presented. This is achieved by the photoinduced conversion of the tin acetate precursor included in polymeric films, through controlled UV or visible pulsed laser irradiation at λ=355 and 532 nm, respectively. The evolution of the formation of nanoparticles is followed by UV/Vis spectroscopy and shows that their growth is affected in different ways by the laser pulses at the two applied wavelengths. This, in combination with electron microscopy analysis, reveals that, depending on the irradiation wavelength, the size of the nanoparticles in the final nanocomposites differs. This difference is attributed to distinct mechanistic pathways that lead to the synthesis of small nanoparticles (from 1.5 to 4.5 nm) at λ=355 nm, whereas bigger ones (from 5 to 16 nm) are formed at λ=532 nm. At the same time, structural studies with both X-ray and electron diffraction measurements demonstrate the crystallinity of SnO nanoparticles in both cases, whereas XPS analysis confirms the light-induced oxidation of tin acetate into SnO . Taken all together, it is demonstrated that the pulsed laser irradiation at λ=355 and 532 nm leads to the formation of SnO nanoparticles with defined features highly dispersed in PMMA solid matrices.

Ceria/Gold Nanoparticles in Situ Synthesized on Polymeric Membranes with Enhanced Photocatalytic and Radical Scavenging Activity

“…An innovative and efficient approach to achieve homogeneous NPs dispersion, not only in the polymer bulk but also on its surface, where exposed NPs with preserved surface properties are present, is the “ in situ synthesis” of NPs directly in the polymer matrix . Such synthetic pathway is based on a solid-state reaction where NPs nucleation is induced by a thermal treatment or light irradiation of polymeric films or fibers loaded with a suitable precursor, which results in the growth of the desired metallic − or semiconductor , NPs.…”

Enhanced electrical conductivity of poly(methyl methacrylate) filled with graphene and in situ synthesized gold nanoparticles

“…The in situ synthesis of nanoparticles in polymer films, by photo-irradiation or thermally induced reduction of the embedded metallic precursors, is a facile method, which does not require the use of any chemical reductant. The formed nanoparticles are well dispersed in the polymeric matrix, and their dimensions and density can be easily controlled by the irradiation conditions or the thermal treatment time [31][32][33][34][35][36]. As we prove, by heating a PMMA/graphene/gold precursor solid film, gold nanoparticles are formed within the composite.…”

Fundamentals and comprehensive insights on pulsed laser synthesis of advanced materials for diverse photo- and electrocatalytic applications

“…The prepared composite samples have exhibited various morphologies and phases based on the laser width, irradiation time, and wavelength. Very few reports concerning the PLI synthesis of NiO-Ni, PdO-Pd, and SnO 2 -PMMA composites with excellent magnetic and catalytic behaviors have been demonstrated 161 – 163 . In addition, few reports that explore the tribology behavior of TiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , and ZnO spherical particles by PLIL 136 discuss that MOs can easily destruct the friction pair’s surface under heavy load owing to high hardness.…”