title: In situ synthesis and characterization of silver/polymer nanocomposites by thermal cationic polymerization processes at room temperature: initiating systems based on organosilanes and starch nanocrystals.
abstract: New methods for the preparation of silver nanoparticles/polymer nanocomposite materials by thermal cationic polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) or α-pinene oxide (α-PO) at room temperature (RT) and under air were developed. The new initiating systems were based on silanes (Si), starch nanocrystals (StN) and metal salts. Excellent polymerization profiles were revealed. It was shown that silver nanoparticles (Ag(0) NPs) were in situ formed and that the addition of StN improves the polymerization efficiency. The as-synthesized nanocomposite materials contained spherical nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrices. Polymers and nanoparticles were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-vis spectroscopy. A coherent picture of the involved chemical mechanisms is presented.
authors: Carrefour of Innovative Technology and Ecodesign (CITE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Sherbrooke, 2500 blvd Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2C3, Canada.
authors: Mohamad-Ali
authors: MA
authors: Tehfe
authors: Carrefour of Innovative Technology and Ecodesign (CITE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Sherbrooke, 2500 blvd Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2C3, Canada.
authors: Romain
authors: R
authors: Jamois
authors: Carrefour of Innovative Technology and Ecodesign (CITE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Sherbrooke, 2500 blvd Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2C3, Canada.
authors: Patrice
authors: P
authors: Cousin
authors: Carrefour of Innovative Technology and Ecodesign (CITE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Sherbrooke, 2500 blvd Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2C3, Canada.
authors: Saïd
authors: S
authors: Elkoun
authors: Carrefour of Innovative Technology and Ecodesign (CITE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Sherbrooke, 2500 blvd Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2C3, Canada.
authors: Mathieu
authors: M
authors: Robert