Design of a core-shell structure of Au/poly(divinylbenzene) using polypyrrole interlayer

In this study, a novel synthesis methodology is presented for the generation of a new type of polymer/metal core-shell structure. Poly(divinylbenzene) (PDVB) particles 2–4 μm in size were produced through precipitation polymerization. The surfaces of these PDVB particles were modified by the sulfonation reaction to produce sulfonic acid groups (–SO3H), and coated with a thin layer of polypyrrole (PPy), a electrical conducting polymer material, using chemical oxidative polymerization in order to improve their electrical properties as well as adhesion property with metal layer. Tiny gold grains in seed form were adsorbed on the surface of the PPy/PDVB core. An oxidation/reduction procedure was repeated on the gold grains in the solution using HAuCl4 and sodium borohydride to form the uniform gold layers comprising the core-shell of the Au/PPy/PDVB structure. The structure of the Au/PPy/PDVB core-shells was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).