Synthesis of Poly(urethane acrylate‐co‐styrene) Films Containing Silver Nanoparticles by a Simultaneous Copolymerization/in situ Electron Transfer Reaction

Abstract

Summary: A novel process for the synthesis of nanocomposite films containing silver nanoparticles is presented. Unlike conventional synthetic processes, silver nanoparticles and the polymer film constituting the nanocomposite film were synthesized simultaneously through an in situ electron transfer reaction and the copolymerization of styrene and amphiphilic urethane acrylate nonionomer (UAN), which contains hydrophobic poly(propylene oxide) segments and hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) segments along the same backbone. Silver nitrate crystals were first dissolved in a UAN/styrene solution through the formation of a complex between silver salts and the poly(ethylene oxide) chains of UAN, and then the transparent solutions obtained were directly converted to transparent free‐standing films containing silver nanoparticles by copolymerization and an electron transfer reaction by radicals. The amount of radical initiator strongly influenced the size and number of silver nanoparticles formed within the polymer films. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and characteristic UV absorbance spectra. Hydrophobic/hydrophilic microphase separation in the UAN/styrene solution was also confirmed by TEM and mechanical property measurements.TEM image of poly(urethane‐co‐styrene) film containing silver nanoparticles.magnified imageTEM image of poly(urethane‐co‐styrene) film containing silver nanoparticles.

Synthesis of microphase‐separated solvent‐free solid polymer electrolyte nanocomposite films using amphiphilic urethane acrylate precursors

“…Synthesis procedure and molar ratio of UAN chain was described in detail in our previous reports. [23][24][25] The polystyrene equivalent molecular weight of synthesized UAN chains is a 6700 (g/mol) weight average molecular weight with a polydispersity of 1.93. Expected molecular structure of UAN chain was schematically illustrated in Figure 1.…”

“…[23][24][25] Each reaction was performed in a 500 mL four-neck vessel equipped with stirrer, thermometer, and an inlet system for nitrogen gas. Synthesis procedure and molar ratio of UAN chain was described in detail in our previous reports.…”

“…Since urethane acrylate nonionomer (UAN) chains used in this study have hydrophobic polypropylene oxide (PPO)-based urethane-linked backbone and hydrophilic polyethylene oxide (PEO) segment at the same backbone, UAN can form microphase-separated structure at various conditions via hydrophilic/hydrophobic microphase separation. [23][24][25] So, unlike conventional polyurethane-based SPE films, it could be expected that SPE films synthesized through copolymerization of UAN/various monomers would have very different microstructures with type of monomer used, which may strongly influence their ion conductivity.…”

In-situ fabrication of polyacrylate–silver nanocomposite through photoinduced tandem reactions involving eosin dye

“…Upon increasing the irradiation time, the absorption band of EO 2-is progressively collapsing, however we fail to observe the formation of silver nanoparticles. The same photolysis experiment is performed with a solution of acetonitrile containing eosin dye, AgNO 3 [55][56][57][58][59]. For instance, it has been reported that the photogenerated alkoxy benzyl radicals [33] or ketyl radicals [60] can convert efficiently Ag + to Ag 0 .…”

Ag/PMMA hollow waveguide for solar energy transmission

“…The change of reflectivity19]. After many experiments at different speeds, the optimal flow speed was 2.5 mL/min with reaction time 30 s. The results were shown inFig.…”