In situ ultrasonic synthesis and characterization of nanocopper/poly(acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate–styrene) composites

Abstract

Nanocopper (nano-Cu)/poly(acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate (AAEM)-styrene (St)) (P(AAEM-St)) composites were synthesized by reducing copper acetate solution in AAEM and St monomer by ultrasonic technique without adding emulsifier. The morphology, structure, thermal stability, and the interaction between Cu nanoparticles (NPs) and P(AAEM-St) matrix of the composites were characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The results show that Cu NPs possessed face-centered cubic structure, and they were homogeneously dispersed in P(AAEM-St) matrix. XPS and FTIR analyses reveal the interaction between Cu NPs and C¼O of the acetoacetoxy in the copolymer of AAEM and St. TGA proves that the thermal stability of the pure P(AAEM-St) is higher than that of the nano-Cu/P(AAEM-St) composites.

Effect of nanosilver on the thermal stability and thermal decomposition kinetics of poly(acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate–styrene)

“…The reason for the anti-agglomeration is that there is a chemical action between metal NPs and C=O associated with acetoacetoxy from AAEM and St copolymer. 25,26 The in situ occurrence of monomer polymerization and metallic ion reduction should be more beneficial to the formation of well dispersed and narrow size-distributed NPs. Further, high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) can provide a deeper insight into the property of the formed particles.…”