Investigation into synthesis and the microstructure of silver nanoparticles coated with alkanethiols and thiol-functionalized polymers

Abstract

A comprehensive investigation into the synthesis and the characterization of discrete silver nanoparticles coated with alkanethiols and thiolate functionalized polymers is presented. Small and uniform alkanethiol capped silver nanoparticles were synthesized via the Brust and Schiffrin method. To improve the characteristics of the resulting nanoparticles, the intermediate stage of this reaction was investigated. The major precursor to the silver nanoparticles was identified and its microstructure was characterized. Polymers bearing single or multiple thiolates were prepared by synthesis of well-defined precursors via RAFT polymerization and their subsequent post-polymerization modification. Nanoparticles stabilized with thiol-terminated PMMA were produced via a “grafting-to” process. A novel method was developed for the synthesis of small, uniform, and re-dispersible nanoparticles encapsulated with multiple-thiolate functional random copolymers of vinylbenzyl chloride. The effect of reaction conditions on the quality of these nanoparticles were evaluated. Adsorption of the copolymers on the nanoparticles were studied by 1H NMR relaxation measurements.