Formation of metal nanostructures under X-ray radiation in films of interpolyelectrolyte complexes with different silver ion content

The specific features of the formation of metal nanoparticles under X-ray radiation in interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) films based on polyacrylic acid and polyethyleneimine with different silver ion content were studied. IPEC films were irradiated in aqueous-alcoholic medium. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the formation of silver nanoparticles occurred in zones regularly located by film thickness. It was found that nanoparticle size and spatial distribution in IPEC films depended on the initial concentration of silver ions within the sample and on the absorbed dose of radiation. The obtained film nanocomposites are promising objects for application as antibacterial and catalytic materials.