Formation of Silver-Containing Polymeric Nanocomposites by the Reduction of Ag+ Ions in Polyelectrolyte–Metal Complexes Under the Action of Electric Fields

Abstract

By the methods of wide-angle X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering, we study the specific features of the structural organization of pectin–Ag0–P4VP nanocomposites obtained under the action of constant electric fields. It is shown that, in the process of chemical reduction of Ag+ ions in polyelectrolyte–metal complexes, under the action of electric fields, we observe the formation of nanocomposites with higher contents of metallic silver than in the absence of the field. By the method of thermomechanical analysis, it is demonstrated that these materials have a much higher temperature of vitrification, a lower temperature of transition into the viscous-flow state, and a higher susceptibility to relative deformation.