In situ synthesis of copper nanoparticles/polystyrene composite

A copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) colloid was synthesized by reduction of cupric sulfate with hydrazine hydrate in the presence of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). A uniform copper nanoparticles/polystyrene (CuNPs/PS) composite was further synthesized via in situ emulsion polymerization. The morphologies, structures, as well as thermal stabilities of the CuNPs and the CuNPs/PS composite were characterized by TEM, UV–vis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), Thermal gravimetric (TG), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The CuNPs are spherical with an average particle size of 10–20 nm. XRD shows that there is no copper oxide in the synthetic CuNPs. The CuNPs/PS composite particles have a narrow size distribution and an average particle size of 10–40 nm. TG indicates that the uniform CuNPs/PS composite has a better thermal stability than virgin polystyrene. GPC shows that the polystyrene of the CuNPs/PS composite has a higher molecular weight and a lower polydispersity index than virgin polystyrene.

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► A high-stable and monodisperse CuNPs colloid was synthesized successfully.
► CuNPs/PS composite was synthesized via in situ emulsion polymerization.
► CuNPs were uniformly dispersed in the PS matrix.
► PS of CuNPs/PS composite has relative narrow molecular weight distribution.
► CuNPs/PS composite has good thermal stability.