A facile one-pot route to transparent polymer nanocomposites with high ZnS nanophase contents via in situ bulk polymerization

Transparent polymer nanocomposites with high ZnS nanophase contents were prepared by a facile one-pot route. Compared with other methods, this method is easier to control. The structure, morphology, thermal and optical properties of the obtained nanocomposites were characterized. The results showed that the ZnS nanoparticles with an average size of 3 nm were dispersed uniformly in the polymer matrix. The ZnS nanoparticles and the polymer matrix were linked by covalent-bonds, which improved the nanocomposite's thermal behavior and mechanical properties. Due to the controlled structure and ZnS content, the nanocomposites had good transparency and the refractive index was continuously adjustable.