Sonochemical preparation of polymer–metal nanocomposites with catalytic and plasmonic properties. Issue 11 (30th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wan, Jing; Fan, Bo; Thang, San H.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale advances. Volume 3:Issue 11(2021)
• Page Start: 3306
• Page End: 3315
• Publication Date: 2021-04-30
• Subjects: 620.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d1na00120e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-0230

Abstract

Abstract : Ultrasound is employed for in situ preparation of polymer–Au and polymer–Pd nanocomposites, which possess superior plasmonic properties and improved catalytic activities. Abstract : Polymer–metal nanocomposites are of increasing interest for a wide range of applications; however, the preparation of these nanocomposites often requires the addition of external initiation and reducing agents for the synthesis of polymer and metal nanoparticles, respectively. Herein, we demonstrate the preparation of polymer–metal nanocomposites for improved catalytic performance by utilizing ultrasound as both the initiation and reducing source. Specifically, synthesis of the macro-RAFT agent containing poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate], followed by ultrasound-initiated polymerization-induced self-assembly (sono-PISA), provides triblock copolymer nanoparticles containing tertiary amine groups. These polymer nanoparticles were further used as the scaffold for the in situ reduction of metal ions (Au and Pd ions) by radicals generated via sonolysis of water without additional reducing agents. The immobilization of metal nanoparticles has been confirmed by TEM and electron diffraction patterns. Polymer–Au nanocomposites with stepwise-grown AuNPs can be applied as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates for 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) detection. Furthermore, the catalytic performances of these prepared polymer–Au and polymer–Pd nanocomposites were examined for aerobic alcohol oxidation and the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction, respectively. Overall, this strategy is expected to greatly expand the utility of ultrasound in the preparation of polymer–metal nanocomposites and promote the catalytic applications of these nanocomposites.