Metal Nanoparticle/Polymer Hybrid Particles: The Catalytic Activity of Metal Nanoparticles Formed on the Surface of Polymer Particles by UV‐Irradiation

Summary: Polymer particles decorated with metal nanoparticles were prepared by UV‐irradiation of polystyrene particles incorporating polymethylphenylsilane (PS/PMPS) and P[S‐ co ‐NIPAM]/PMPS particles (NIPAM: N‐isopropyl acrylamide) in the presence of metal salts. The metal nanoparticle/polymer hybrid particles were used as a catalyst for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol with NaBH 4 . The Pd‐ and Ag‐P(S‐ co ‐NIPAM)/PMPS hybrid particles had larger metal nanoparticles and the lower catalytic activity than those of Pd‐ and Ag‐PS/PMPS, respectively. The surface functional group of the polymer particles affected the formation of the metal nanoparticles and their catalytic activity.