Preparation of AgNPs/PS composite via reverse microemulsion polymerization

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized in reverse microemulsions using silver nitrate as silver source, hydrazine hydrate as reducing agent, n‐heptane as oil phase, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as surfactant, and isoamyl alcohol as cosurfactant. A uniform silver nanoparticles/polystyrene (AgNPs/PS) composite was further prepared by a reverse microemulsion polymerization method. The morphologies and structures of the AgNPs and the AgNPs/PS composite were characterized by UV‐visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, the molecular weight of the AgNPs/PS composite was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and the thermal stability of the AgNPs/PS composite was determined by thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis. Results show that the AgNPs have a particle size of 3–10 nm, and are almost spherical, uniform, and monodisperse both in a AgNPs colloid and in the AgNPs/PS composite. There are no characteristic peaks of silver oxide in the synthetic AgNPs and AgNPs/PS composite. The AgNPs/PS composite has a better thermal stability and a higher molecular weight than virgin PS. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1325–1329, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers