Synthesis of metal/polymer colloidal composites by the tailored deposition of silver onto porous polymer microspheres

A new colloidal silver system is presented in which a fine colloidal silver is in situ deposited onto functionalized porous poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) [poly(EGDMA)l microspheres. The effectiveness of the silver deposition has been investigated through an examination of the surface characteristics of poly(EGDMA) microspheres. The result reported in this study demonstrate that the control of the surface area and surface functionality (in this study, a hydroxyl group) of poly(EGDMA) microspheres is an important factor that practically determines the degree of deposition of colloidal silver. X-ray analysis has shown that silver nanoparticles are dispersed evenly on inner and outer surfaces and have a face center cubic phase. Preservation testing has shown that silver-containing poly(EGDMA) microspheres have powerful antibacterial properties and, therefore, have significant potential as new preservatives. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.