Thermal and optical properties of silver–poly(methylmethacrylate) nanocomposites prepared by in-situ radical polymerization

Surface modified silver nanoparticles dispersed in chloroform were encapsulated in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) by in-situ radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile. The particle size distribution of colloidal silver nanoparticles was determined using transmission electron microscopy. The obtained transparent nanocomposite films were characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Effective medium Maxwell-Garnett theory was used in order to explain optical properties of nanocomposite films taking into account inhomogeneous spatial distribution of silver nanoparticles in PMMA matrix. The influence of the silver nanoparticles on the thermal properties of the PMMA matrix was investigated using thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermo-oxidative stability of the PMMA in the presence of low content of inorganic phase is significantly improved. The glass transition temperatures of nanocomposites are slightly lower compared to the pure polymer.