Electrical transport behaviour of silver–PMMA nanocomposite films at low temperature

In this study, the silver nanoparticles, capped with oleylamine, were embedded in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) using sonication to fabricate Ag–PMMA nanocomposites. The well-dispersed nanocomposite samples are analysed using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. The interfacial interaction of Ag nanoparticles and PMMA polymer is investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is concluded that a ligand-exchange process occurs when capped silver nanoparticles are incorporated in PMMA polymer. Electrical resistivity of nanocomposite samples was measured by a four-probe technique in the 70–300 K range. The nanocomposites showed a transition with onsets at ∼230 and ∼160 K. They exhibited a semiconductor-like conductivity at higher temperatures, a rapid metallic conductivity at middle range and nearly temperature independent conductivity at lower temperatures.