Thermal behaviour of Ag/PMMA nanocomposites synthesized by in situ method

Abstract

The influence of the surface modified silver nanoparticles (Np), used as a filler, on the thermal properties poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) matrix, synthesized by “in situ” radical polymerization process, was studied. The coloured transparency nanocomposites (NCs) films were investigated by IR spectroscopy and thermal techniques (TGA, DSC). The molar mass and polydispersity of synthesized samples were estimated by gel permeation chromatography. The chemical composition of the PMMA matrix is not changed in the presence of the metal nanoparticles, but the thermooxidative stability of the polymer is enhanced with an increase silver loading. On the other hand, the glass transition temperatures of nanocomposites are lower compared to the pure polymer.