The effect of synthesis procedure on the structure and properties of palladium/polycarbonate nanocomposites

In this paper, we compare two procedures for the synthesis of palladium (Pd)/polycarbonate (PC) nanocomposites as well as their morphological, optical, thermal and electrical properties. Pd nanoclusters were produced by the reduction of palladium chloride using a variation of Brust's method. Di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer (Guilford) 2008-07, Vol.49 (16), p.3413-3418
Main Authors: Valmikanathan, O.P., Ostroverkhova, O., Mulla, I.S., Vijayamohanan, K., Atre, S.V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Composites
Exact sciences and technology
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
In situ and ex situ syntheses
Morphology
Nanocomposites
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Technology of polymers
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Summary:In this paper, we compare two procedures for the synthesis of palladium (Pd)/polycarbonate (PC) nanocomposites as well as their morphological, optical, thermal and electrical properties. Pd nanoclusters were produced by the reduction of palladium chloride using a variation of Brust's method. Discrete Pd nanoclusters of ∼15nm size were formed in the absence of PC in the reaction mixture (ex situ method) while agglomeration of Pd nanoclusters was noticed in the presence of PC in the reaction mixture (in situ method). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) suggests nanoparticle–polymer interactions and polymer conformational changes in the in situ nanocomposite films. Even after having the same Pd content, the ex situ nanocomposites films were found to transmit more light than the in situ nanocomposites. The glass transition temperature (Tg), decreased by ∼16°C for both the ex situ and in situ samples. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the presence of Pd nanoclusters significantly improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites, as evidenced by the enhanced onset of degradation by ∼20°C and ∼40°C for the in situ and ex situ nanocomposites, respectively. The electrical conductivity measurement shows a dramatic difference between these nanocomposites with a significantly higher value for the in situ nanocomposite (resistivity=2.1×105Ωm) compared to the ex situ nanocomposite (resistivity=7.2×1013Ωm). [Display omitted]
ISSN:0032-3861
1873-2291
DOI:10.1016/j.polymer.2008.05.036