Preparation and optical properties of Ag/PPy composite colloids

Ag/PPy (polypyrrole) composite colloids were prepared through the reaction of silver nitrate with pyrrole solution in DMF either in the dark, or under the irradiation of femtosecond laser (fs) pulse or UV lamp. The UV–vis spectra of the nanocomposite colloid display an intense absorption band around 620 nm, accompanied by a weak one around 470 nm. The colors and optical absorption spectra of as-synthesized colloids can be reversibly tuned between blue and red, corresponding to absorption band of 620 nm and 526 nm, within few seconds by adding base and acid solutions or gases in turn into the composite colloid suspension. In addition, excess of H+ solution enhanced the absorption band around 470 nm and, at the same time, depressed that around 620 nm. The possible mechanism for the formation and optical absorption properties of the Ag/PPy composite colloid was proposed.