Facile in situ silver nanoparticle formation in insulating porous polymer matrices

The in situ formation of well-dispersed silver nanoparticles in an insulating polymer matrix is reported. Poly(aryl ether)s (PAEs) incorporating an oxadiazole moiety were synthesized, and they demonstrated selective interaction with silver ions. Polymer-ion thin films were easily spin cast and exposed to hydrazine vapors in order to induce metal nucleation. Introducing a triptycene monomer into the polymer backbone resulted in a highly porous matrix and prevented nanoparticle aggregation. This provides a generalized approach to the facile preparation of well-dispersed metal nanoparticle embedded thin films.