Photocatalytic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using polysilane initiator

Abstract

This study shows that the exposure to visible light of the poly[diphenylsilane-co-methyl(H)silane] solution together with a silver salt, initiates a photocatalytic process which leads to the formation of metal nanoparticles. This phenomenon is a consequence of close-range interactions between the methylhydrosilyls’ σ-conjugated segments and the metal ions at the salt surface. Due to the weak charge transfer complexes thin films casted from solution show a specific morphology with microdomains of various dimensions and shapes in relation with the stage of the process. The polymethylhydrosilane copolymer stabilizes the synthesized nanoparticles in a similar manner as the conventional surfactants do. The polymer chemical structure is not affected during the photocatalytic process and the optical and electronic properties of polysilanes are well preserved.