Preparation and characterization of poly(styrene)/metal composites via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization

The expectant dithiocarbamate group end-functional poly(styrene) (PS) with a controlled molecular weight and low molecular weight distribution was synthesized conveniently via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and was used to prepare polymer/metal composites with coordination chemistry. By the self-assembly technique, PS coordinated with the rare earth metal in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) to generate the fluorescent Eu-PS and Sm-PS complexes. Furthermore, PS-coated spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by reducing Ag+ to Ag0 under ultrasound irradiation in the presence of DMF and H2O. The well core/shell structure of the AgNPs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).