Synthesis and Characterization of Silver-Containing Nanocomposites Based on 1-Vinyl-1,2,4-triazole and Acrylonitrile Copolymer

Insoluble silver-containing nanocomposites based on 1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole and acrylonitrile copolymer was synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic absorption, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric data analysis. The silver content of the nanocomposites varied from 8.0 to 23.5% (the silver content depends on the ratio of the copolymer-silver salt). Synthesis of silver nanocomposites was carried out by thermal treatment of a polymer complex of copolymer-silver salt without the use of an additional reducing agent. X-ray diffraction was used to control the formation of silver nanoparticles at different temperatures (210°С, 220°С, and 250°С). Synthesis of nanocomposites shows a developed porous structure with a channel diameter in most cases of 1-4 microns. The EPR monitoring of the nanoparticle germination and growth reveals that the generation of the nanocomposites proceeds via a stage of complex formation between the polymeric matrix and silver ions. The synthesized nanocomposites possess paramagnetic properties and show a narrow EPR symmetric signal with the concentration of unpaired electrons of 1020 spin/g, a g-factor 2.0050, and signal width 5-6 Gs. Thermal stability of silver-containing nanocomposites is up to 270-320°C