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Correlating charge fluence with nanoparticle formation during in situ plasma synthesis of nanocomposite films
Author(s) -
Ghosh Souvik,
Boris David R.,
Hernández Sandra C.,
Zorman Christian A.,
Walton Scott G.,
Sankaran R. Mohan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plasma processes and polymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1612-8869
pISSN - 1612-8850
DOI - 10.1002/ppap.201700079
Subject(s) - fluence , nanocomposite , materials science , nanoparticle , in situ , plasma , chemical engineering , charge (physics) , nanotechnology , irradiation , chemistry , nuclear physics , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Plasmas enable the fabrication of nanocomposites via in situ reduction of metal precursors dispersed in polymer films. The mechanism for reduction has not yet been revealed and it is not known how plasma parameters affect nanoparticle formation. Here, we present a systematic study using a low‐pressure, pulsed electron beam generated argon plasma to treat silver cation‐containing polyacrylic acid films. The background pressure, treatment time, period, and pulse width are varied to influence charged species generation. We show a direct correlation between nanoparticle density, as assessed by ultraviolet‐visible absorbance analysis, and the charge fluence. Although the experiments could not separate the specific role of ions and electrons, our results demonstrate the importance of charged species to nanoparticle formation.