Chapter 2 - Cluster Beam Synthesis of Polymer Composites with Nanoparticles

Abstract

This chapter presents a state-of-the-art review of the field of synthesis of polymer composites with metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles (NPs), using the cluster beam technique. The review starts with an introduction to the field, briefly covering the areas of practical application of metal-polymer composites; the most widely used approaches for the NP embedment into a polymer matrix, with emphasis on the pros and cons of different methods; and finally, on the advantages of the cluster beam technique. The next section describes the physical principles of cluster nucleation and growth, and the main methods of nanocluster formation. The chapter continues with a discussion on the fundamental aspects of NP interaction with polymer surfaces in terms of interface energy and driving forces for the immersion of particles into the polymer bulk. Then, different approaches in the use of cluster beams to embed NPs into polymers are overviewed, namely: supersonic beams with sufficient kinetic energy for the implantation of clusters into thin layers; co-deposition of the clusters and plasma polymers and soft-landing of NPs; followed by thermal annealing, providing the NPs immersion in a well-controllable manner. The chapter also describes properties and applications of the obtained composites with metal and metal-oxide NPs, emphasizing the research on formation of stretchable electrodes, flexible plasmonic media, paper electronics, antibacterial coatings, transducers for biosensors, and so forth. The review closes with conclusions and an outlook on future perspectives of the cluster beam technique as applied to polymer materials.