Metal−Polymer Composites: Synthesis and Characterization of Polyaniline and Other Polymer@Silver Compositions

A method was developed for the entrapment of water-insoluble hydrophobic polymers in a metallic matrix, thus generalizing further the routes for obtaining the novel organics@metal composite materials. The reaction took place in an organic phase using the reduction of metal ions by DMF in the presence of water. The reductive entrapment of polyaniline was studied in detail using XRD, SEM, BET, TGA, UV-vis, XPS, and density measurements, and the mechanism of the entrapment was established. The scope of this approach is demonstrated by entrapment of two additional hydrophobic polymers, polystyrene and polyacrylonitrile.