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In situ Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticle Embedded Free Standing Multifunctional PDMS Films
Author(s) -
Goyal Anubha,
Kumar Ashavani,
Patra Prabir K.,
Mahendra Shaily,
Tabatabaei Salomeh,
Alvarez Pedro J. J.,
John George,
Ajayan Pulickel M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.200900174
Subject(s) - materials science , polydimethylsiloxane , nanoparticle , elastomer , chemical engineering , noble metal , curing (chemistry) , nanotechnology , metal , silicone , transmission electron microscopy , silver nanoparticle , composite number , composite material , engineering , metallurgy
We demonstrate a simple one‐step method for synthesizing noble metal nanoparticle embedded free standing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite films. The process involves preparing a homogenous mixture of metal salt (silver, gold and platinum), silicone elastomer and the curing agent (hardener) followed by curing. During the curing process, the hardener crosslinks the elastomer and simultaneously reduces the metal salt to form nanoparticles. This in situ method avoids the use of any external reducing agent/stabilizing agent and leads to a uniform distribution of nanoparticles in the PDMS matrix. The films were characterized using UV‐Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy. The nanoparticle‐PDMS films have a higher Young's modulus than pure PDMS films and also show enhanced antibacterial properties. The metal nanoparticle‐PDMS films could be used for a number of applications such as for catalysis, optical and biomedical devices and gas separation membranes.