Metallic particles generated in situ in a polymer
Methods for generating metallic particles in situ in a polymer are disclosed. A method includes (a) contacting the polymer with a solution comprising (i) a solvent, (ii) a metal salt, and (iii) a free radical generator; (b) removing the polymer from the solution; and (c) exposing the polymer to actinic radiation. Polymer composites and polymer nanocomposites comprising inorganic particulates comprising metallic particles generated in the polymer are also disclosed.
1. A method for generating metallic particles in situ in a solid polymer, comprising:
(a) contacting the polymer with a solution comprising:
(i) a solvent,
(ii) a metal salt, and
(iii) a free radical generator;
(b) infusing the solution into the solid polymer surface;
(c) removing the polymer from the solution that has not been infused into the polymer surface; and
(d) exposing the polymer to actinic radiation to generate metallic particles in situ in the surface regions of the polymer.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal salt is selected from nitrates, sulfides, phosphates, sulfates, fluorides, chlorides, bromides, iodides, and mixtures thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal salt comprises a metal selected from silver, copper, zinc, and mixtures thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises an alcohol.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein contacting the polymer comprises immersing the polymer in the solution.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the free radical generator comprises a free radical photoinitiator.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metallic particles comprise nanoparticles having an average primary particle size less than 1000 nanometers.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the metallic nanoparticles have an average primary particle size of no more than 100 nanometers.
9. The method of claim 1 in which the solution is infused in an area within 100 micrometers from the surface of the polymer.