Microstructure, topology and X-ray diffraction in Ag-metal reinforced polymer of polyvinyl alcohol of thin laminates

A polymer composite of Ag-metal reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is synthesized in shape of thin laminates of 200-300 mu m thickness. The process involves a chemical Ag+ dispersion in PVA and in-situ Ag+ -> Ag reduction-reaction with active PVA molecules under hot conditions (with stirring) in water at 60-70 degrees C temperature. The product results in a metal Ag-polymer complex dispersed in the solution. After evaporating part of water, a derived viscous solution is casted (in hot conditions) in shape of a thin laminate in a glass mould. In addition to chemical reducer, active OH-groups (free from H-bonding) in PVA molecules of refreshed surfaces act as head groups to adsorb Ag+ and drive a directional Ag+. Ag growth. Short fibrils of Ag-metal thus occur in reaction over the PVA molecules. Casting thin laminates from a liquid sample Ag-PVA allows the fibrils (also the polymer molecules) to align along the surface. Selected Ag-contents up to 5.0 wt.% in Ag-PVA laminates are studied in terms of scanning electron micrograph, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction. Average size, morphology and aspect ratio (phi) vary in Ag-metal depending on the Ag-content. As long Ag-metal fibrils as 2-5 mu m,. phi = 35, occur in a sample of 2.0 wt.% Ag. The Ag-metal reflects in two characteristic 3d(5/2) and 3d/(3/2) XPS bands of 368.3 and 374.1 eV respectively. (c) 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.