Silver Nanoparticles Dispersed in Poly(methyl methacrylate) Thin Films: Spectroscopic and Electrical Properties

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles of different sizes were prepared following chemical route and using silver nitrate as starting material. The nanoparticles were dispersed in Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix and thin films were prepared. The PMMA films with dispersed silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV‐Vis absorption spectroscopy and FESEM. The electrical measurements were carried out by using surface type cells. The absorption spectra of the films have shown plasmon peaks at different wavelengths with the variation in size of the silver nanoparticles. The film with dispersed silver nanoparticles showing plasmon peak at higher wavelength manifested increasing trend in dark current values with time at room temperature. On the contrary, the decreasing dark current values with time were observed in the case of the film showing plasmon peak at lower wavelength under similar measuring conditions. The photocurrent profile of the PMMA film with dispersed silver nanoparticles as a function of photoexcitation wavelength showed dependence on the position of the plasmon bands.