Nanodispersed metal particles in polymeric matrices

Three routes to the preparation of nanodispersed metal or metal oxides particles in polymer matrices have been studied. Thermal treatment in air of W-, Mo- and Cr-carbonyl complexes with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) results in the formation of nanometer-size metal oxide particles in a polycyclic polymer. Co-containing polymers were prepared by mixing Co-2(CO)(8) with a PAN copolymer or an aromatic polyamide in dimethylformamide (DMF). Co-2(CO)(8) interacts with DMF giving the complex [Co(DMF)(6)](2+)[Co(CO)(4)](-2). Subsequent thermolysis converts this complex to nanodispersed Co particles. By ferromagnetic resonance and small-angle x-ray scattering, it was found that the average Co particle size depends on the type of polymeric matrix, the thermolysis conditions and the Co loading and varies from 1 to 10 nm.