In-Situ Formation of Silver Nanoparticles in PEI

Nanocomposites consisting of spherical particles of Ag were prepared using a single step in situ method whereby Ag is introduced into the dissolved polymer via dissolution as the organometallic complex Ag TFA in the same solvent as the polymer. The kinetic rate of formation of the particles is determined using WAXS and SAXS measurements. Nanoparticle formation is found to depend on reducing the solvent/polymer ratio, which leads to de-solvating the metal complex. This destabilizes the metal precursor complex, causing it to degrade and the metal particles to phase separate by a thermodynamic driving force. The size of the nanoparticles varies with the cure temperature and the conditions affecting molecular mobility.