Formation and characterization of metal-polymer nanostructured composites

Nanostructured metal (Pd, Sri, Cu)-polymer (poly-para-xylylene) and metal-oxide-polymer composites reveal synergism of properties of the initial components, which gives rise to specific electrical, mechanical, and optical properties related to an ordered distribution of nanoparticles over the matrix volume. Methods where polymerisation and formation of the nanoparticles are performed simultaneously are very promising. This paper reports on the experimental set-up for the production of nanocomposites by vacuum co-condensation of the metal and a monomer (paracyclophane) vapours. AFM studies reveal the metal nanoparticles to have a size of 7 to 10 nm. Depending on the metal concentration in as-prepared composites, three different types of surface morphology are distinguished. The percolation threshold of these systems is evaluated by measuring the temperature dependence of the electrical resistance. The type of Absorbance versus Wavelength dependency for the samples beyond the percolation threshold differs from that of the sample with a nano-metal content below the threshold. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.