Noble metal nanoparticles embedding into polymeric materials: From fundamentals to applications

Jai Prakash; J C Pivin; H C Swart

doi:10.1016/j.cis.2015.10.010

Noble metal nanoparticles embedding into polymeric materials: From fundamentals to applications

Adv Colloid Interface Sci. 2015 Dec;226(Pt B):187-202. doi: 10.1016/j.cis.2015.10.010. Epub 2015 Nov 5.

Authors

Jai Prakash¹, J C Pivin², H C Swart³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, ZA 9300, South Africa. Electronic address: jai.gupta1983@gmail.com.
² CSNSM, Batiment 108, Orsay Campus, 91405, France.
³ Department of Physics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, ZA 9300, South Africa.

PMID: 26584861
DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2015.10.010

Abstract

This review covers some key concepts related to embedding of the noble metal nanoparticles in polymer surfaces. The metal nanoparticles embedded into the polymer matrix can provide high-performance novel materials that find applications in modern nanotechnology. In particular, the origin of various processes that drive the embedding phenomenon, growth of the nanostructure at the surface, factors affecting the embedding including role of surface, interface energies and thermodynamic driving forces with emphasis on the fundamental and technological applications, under different conditions (annealing and ion beams) have been discussed. In addition to the conventional thermal process for embedding which includes the measure of fundamental polymer surface properties with relevant probing techniques, this review discusses the recent advances carried out in the understanding of embedding phenomenon starting from thin metal films to growth of the nanoparticles and embedded nanostructures using novel ion beam techniques.

Keywords: Embedding; Noble metal nanoparticles; Polymer; Surface and Interface energies; Thermodynamic driving force.

Publication types

Review