Distribution of metal nanoparticles in a plasma polymer matrix according to the structure of the polymer and the nature of the metal

Abstract

The amount and distribution of metal nanoparticles in a plasma polymer matrix are studied according to the chemical structure of the polymer and the nature of the metal. The structure of the polymer (polyallylalcohol) is modified by varying the plasma parameters such as polymerization time, input power and discharge time. This study, done with silver, shows that when the polymer contains a lot of functional groups (here hydroxyl ones) with a rough surface, a high amount of silver, homogeneously distributed is inserted into the polymer. Moreover, three metals are studied: Ag, Cu and Sn. A higher quantity of silver and tin ions is inserted into the matrix compared to copper. Finally, two routes for the incorporation of silver nanoparticles are studied where the impregnation with the metallic salt and its reduction are done either in two stages or in one step with a single solution containing both the metallic salt and the reducing agent. The first method allows obtaining a higher amount of loaded silver with a homogeneous dispersion in the matrix.