Relaxation and Acoustic Characteristics of Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Polyethylene Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Polymeric nanocomposite materials containing silver nanoparticles are promising because they combine the properties of a polymer and an inorganic substance. Such materials have wide practical applications, in particular as antimicrobial coatings and structural materials. The vast majority of works study the properties of materials based on polymers and silver nanoparticles without explaining the processes of interaction between the matrix and the filler. However, one of the most informative is the relaxation characteristics, the study of which will allow us to establish the mechanisms of impact of nanoparticles and predict the final properties of the material. The purpose of this work was to create a new material based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) and silver nanoparticles, as well as to study its relaxation characteristics. The paper developed a new approach to the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Using this approach, stabilized silver nanoparticles were synthesized. Using the method of dielectric relaxation and acoustic spectroscopy, the relaxation and acoustic characteristics of polymer nanocomposite materials based on PEO and synthesized silver particles were investigated. As a result, it was established that stabilized silver nanoparticles significantly affect the relaxation and acoustic characteristics of the nanocomposite material at relatively low concentrations of the nanofiller (1 %). The activation energy and relaxation time of PEO macromolecules, as well as the speed of ultrasound and the damping coefficient of the studied materials were extremely dependent on the content of the filler. This dependence is explained by aggregation processes of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. It is shown that 1 % of silver nanoparticles in the system is optimal, and it is assumed that with this filler content, the functional characteristics will be the most acceptable for the use of such a material.