X-ray Study of Structural Formation and Thermomechanical Properties of Silver-Containing Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

The structural organization and thermomechanical properties of nanocomposites prepared from interpolyelectrolyte–metal complex (IMC) involving anionic polyelectrolyte, pectin and AgNO3, and cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(4-vinylpyridine), have been investigated using the methods of wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering and thermomechanical analysis. It is established that chemical reduction of Ag+ ions in the IMC by sodium borohydride results in formation of the nanocomposite based on the “pectin–poly(4-vinylpyridine)” interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) and Ag0 nanoparticles as well. At the same time, the level of nanocomposites’ structural heterogeneity is substantially enhancing, while effective size of the heterogeneity regions decreases. The nanocomposites IPEC–Ag0 prepared are shown much bigger T g value and enhanced ability for deformation than those for IMC.

Radiation Induced Generation of Core–Shell Nanoparticles in Polyelectrolyte Films of Poly(acrylic acid)–Poly(ethylenimine) Complex with Copper and Silver Ions

“…Such properties allow employing IPECs as a medium for the reduction of metal ions and the synthesis of nanoparticles. 10,13,18,32 Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)−poly-(ethylenimine) (PEI) complexes effectively bind metal ions and represent powerful stabilizers for nanoparticles so that these IPECs can be widely used as the base for synthesis of nanocomposites. Various techniques have ensured 10,12,31,33−36 the production of composite materials containing copper, nickel, silver, gold, or palladium nanoparticles in PAA−PEI coatings and films with catalytic and antibacterial activity.…”

“…The most common method for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles is the reduction of metal ions in solutions and dispersions of polymers. Presently, research efforts are mainly focused on the development of expedient methods for the production of functional metal–polymer nanocomposites directly in the matrix of polymer hydrogels or polyelectrolytes. ,− The technique of the so-called “intermatrix synthesis” ,,− was successfully used for obtaining metal nanoparticles by chemical reduction of metal ions in matrices of cation-exchange resins. The functional groups of the polymer component, after reduction of metal ions, are converted back to the original ion form, ,, which provides the possibility to synthesize bimetallic or trimetallic core–shell nanostructures in several cycles of sorption/reduction.…”

“…Interpolyelectrolyte (IPEC) complexes form to be insoluble but weakly swellable in water samples, which have a high dialysis permeability for low-molecular polar compounds and ions. ,, This leads to the diffusion of reducing agents into the polymer matrix from the water–organic medium and the transport of metal ions along the polymer film for the assembly of nanoparticles. Such properties allow employing IPECs as a medium for the reduction of metal ions and the synthesis of nanoparticles. ,,, Poly­(acrylic acid) (PAA)–poly­(ethylenimine) (PEI) complexes effectively bind metal ions and represent powerful stabilizers for nanoparticles so that these IPECs can be widely used as the base for synthesis of nanocomposites. Various techniques have ensured ,,,− the production of composite materials containing copper, nickel, silver, gold, or palladium nanoparticles in PAA–PEI coatings and films with catalytic and antibacterial activity.…”

Light-scattering study of silver nanocomposites based on hydrophilic nitrogen-containing heterocyclic copolymers

“…Obtaining organic-inorganic nanocomposites based on functional polymers appears to be a promising direction. In the processes of nanoparticle formation, a stabilising matrix is necessary, since the presence of various functional groups allows further modification [1][2][3], opening up promising new avenues for utilising target composites [4][5][6].…”