Laser photolytic approach to Cu/polymer sols and Cu/polymer nanocomposites with amorphous Cu phase

Excimer laser photolysis of Cu(II) acetylacetonate in 2-propanol affords Cu/polymer colloidal solutions that undergo sedimentation to Cu/polymer nanocomposites. The sedimentation is little affected by O-containing surface active compounds. UV–vis and GC/MS spectral analyses of the photolysed solutions indicate that Cu/polymer colloids are formed via intermediary Cu(I) acetylacetonate decomposing into Cu nanoparticles and via simultaneous formation of a photo-polymer. Electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis of the Cu/polymer nanocomposites reveal the presence of unique amorphous Cu phase.