Microemulsion route to fabrication of silver and platinum‐polymer nanocomposites

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)‐platinum and PMMA‐silver nanocomposites have been produced using polymerization of W/O microemulsions. MMA monomer was used as the oil or continues phase of the microemulsion system and polymerized following formation of Pt and Ag nanoparticles in the fluid medium. The UV‐vis absorption spectra have been used to trace the growth process of the nanoparticles in the microemulsion system. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been used to determine the morphology and particle size of the Pt and Ag particles in the synthesized nanocomposites. Image analyses of TEM micrographs confirm that the Pt and Ag particles in the synthesized nanocomposites have a narrow size distribution. Meanwhile, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy was used to verify polymer‐nanoparticles interaction in nanocomposite bulk. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:2023–2028, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers