Silver/polystyrene nanocomposites: Optical and thermal properties

Nanocomposites consisted of different quantities of silver (Ag) nanoparticles incorporated in a polystyrene (PS) matrix have been prepared by solution mixing method. Transmission electron microscopy was applied to determine the size distribution of the Ag nanoparticles, while the morphology of fractured surfaces of pure PS and Ag/PS nanocomposites was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Absorption spectra of nanocomposites were compared with theoretically calculated spectra based on the Maxwell‐Garnett effective medium theory. The influence of Ag content on thermal properties of Ag/PS nanocomposites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal and thermo‐oxidative stability of the host polymer were improved by introduction of silver nanoparticles. The glass transition temperature of the prepared Ag/PS nanocomposites was lower in comparison with the neat PS and decreased with the increase of the Ag content due to the very weak interfacial interaction between Ag nanoparticles and polymer matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers