title: Polymer-initiated photogeneration of silver nanoparticles in SPEEK/PVA films: direct metal photopatterning.
abstract: Cross-linking of sulfonated poly(ether-ether)ketone-poly(vinyl alcohol) (SPEEK-PVA) materials yields flexible polymer films, possessing high light-sensitivity and ion-exchange capabilities. Adsorbed Ag+ ions are photoreduced in the film under illumination (lambda = 350 nm), leading to metal nanoparticle formation in places where the film has been exposed to the light. Nanoparticles form via reduction of Ag+ by the polymeric alcohol radicals, generated in the system as a result of photochemical H-abstraction from PVA molecules by the excited carbonyl triplet state of SPEEK. Use of the films for direct metal photopatterning is demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Korchev
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bozack
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Slaten
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mills