Deposition of nanocomposites by plasmas

Recently, there is much interest in nanocomposites consisting of metal nanoparticles dispersed in a dielectric matrix due to their novel functional properties offering hosts of new applications. Polymers are particularly attractive as matrix. Consequently, various approaches have been reported to incorporate metal nanoparticles into polymers. The present review is mainly concerned with the preparation of polymer-based nanocomposites by co- and tandem sputtering of metallic and organic components and the resulting functional properties. Different from typical wet chemical approaches, this vapor phase deposition technique allows the preparation of composites which contain alloy clusters of well defined composition. Emphasis is placed on soft-magnetic high frequency materials with cut-off frequencies well above 1 GHz and optical composites with tuned plasmon resonances suitable for ultrathin color filters, Bragg reflectors, and other devices. In addition, antibacterial coatings are addressed. (C) 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.