Synthesis of a silver nanoparticle network induced by a micro-phase separation

• Ag nanoparticle network was made by a micro-phase separation of polymer solution.
• Along with solvent vaporization, nanoparticle aggregates and is taken into polymer.
• Affinity control among Ag, polymer, solvent provided continuous Ag network.

Fabrication of a silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) network by only acetone (Ace) vaporization from AgNPs/cellulose acetate (CA)/Ace/1-octanol (Oct) suspension was proposed. When Ace vaporizes from CA/Ace/Oct ternary reaction system, a micro-phase separation occurs into polar phase (CA/Ace) and non-polar phase (Oct), then CA molecules deposit as three-dimensional network. Dispersed AgNPs in the ternary system gather each other along with the flow of CA network formation and AgNPs aggregates are taken into the CA network. In Ace-rich system, CA network density increased and surface of CA strut became smooth because of well dissolved of CA. AgNPs dispersibility also increased, however, lack of continuity on AgNPs network was observed. When AgNPs amount simply increased, CA network disappeared and large AgNPs aggregates remained on CA bulk film. On the other hand, with sum volume of AgNPs/CA kept constant, continuous AgNPs network was successfully formed according to CA dense network.

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