The effect of polymer molecular weight on the formation and evolution of silver-polymer nanocomposite thin films

Silver-poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite thin films (0.1 - 1 mum) have been obtained by in situ self-reduction of an organometallic compound formerly embedded in the polymer structure. The reduction has been obtained through thermal treatments, leading to the formation of Ag particles in the size range 5-50 nm, homogeneously dispersed in the film structure. Nearly monodisperse polymer macromolecules have been used to study the effect of polymer molecular weight (MW) on the formation and evolution of particles. It was found that changes in the polymer molecular weight produce different average particle size which drive the film properties. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.