Abstract
AbstractA grafting copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate grafted poly(vinyl alcohol) (PMMA‐g‐PVA), was prepared via a simple free radical polymerization reaction initiated by a PVA‐(NH4)2Ce(NO3)6 redox system. This copolymer was then employed as a reactor template to design and fabricate a sensitive electrically conducting film by a reduction reaction of Ag+ with sodium hypophosphite as a reducer. The structure and morphologies of the PMMA‐g‐PVA/Ag nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The complexation between Ag+ and PVA and even PMMA, as well as the establishment of inter‐ and intramolecular attractions between polymer matrices, played an important role in the insertion and reduction of Ag+ particles. XRD results showed all relevant Bragg's diffractions for the crystal structure of Ag+ nanoparticles, and transmission electron microscopy findings showed well‐defined spherical morphologies. UV–vis studies apparently showed the characteristic surface plasmon band of Ag nanoparticles within the polymer matrices at 390–400 nm. The resistance responsiveness of the film samples to various organic vapors was investigated, and the responsive magnitude depends on the type and strength of an interaction produced by each solvent vapor on the material. The response dependence on initial resistances of the film samples was explored in the case of ether vapor. The response mechanism of the PMMA‐g‐PVA/Ag films to solvent vapors was explained on the basis of a swelling theory and an interaction between solvent vapor molecules and nanocomposites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 32: E624–E632, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21306
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