title: Controlling interparticle spacing among metal nanoparticles through metal-catalyzed decomposition of surrounding polymer matrix.
abstract: Systematic and reproducible control over average interparticle spacing of Pt, Ni, and Cu nanoparticles embedded in polyimide thin layers was achieved. The metal-catalyzed decomposition of polyimide matrixes surrounding metal nanoparticles causes a decrease in the composite layer thickness, while maintaining the size of nanoparticles. This ability provides an effective methodology for the preparation of metal/polymer nanocomposites with tailored microstructures and holds great promise toward the fundamental understanding of the physical interactions among metal nanoparticles.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Engineering and Graduate School of Science, Konan University, 8-9-1 Okamoto, Higashinada, Kobe 658-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Kensuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akamatsu
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shinkai
authors.forename: Shingo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: Hidemi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nawafune
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tomita