Onbattuvelli V.P., Atre S.V., Ostroverkhova O., Pillai V.K.
Oregon State University, US
Keywords: agglomeration, conductivity, ex situ, in-situ, phase transfer
Influence of Pd particle size and Pd content on the properties of the Pd/PC nanocomposites was investigated. Nanocomposites with varying Pd content were synthesized via the ex situ and in situ methods. Discrete Pd nanoparticles of 10 and 15 nm size were found in 1 and 2 vol.% ex situ Pd/PC nanocomposites, respectively. However, agglomeration of Pd nanoparticles was noticed in both the 1 and 2 vol.% in situ samples. By adding TOABr, the particle size was controlled to 3 nm and 5 nm for 1vol.% and 2vol.% ex situ nanocomposites, respectively. For a given Pd content, the ex situ nanocomposites films were found to transmit more light than the in situ nanocomposites. Increase in the particle size and Pd content were found to decrease the optical transmission. TGA studies indicated that the particle size and Pd content of Pd nanoparticles influence the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. Electrical conductivity measurement shows a dramatic difference between these nanocomposites with a significantly higher value for the 2 vol.% in situ nanocomposite compared to the ex situ nanocomposites. Chemical affinity of Pd towards acidic gases and the enhanced electrical conductivity of the in situ samples were tested for sensing the SOX gases.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2009: Fabrication, Particles, Characterization, MEMS, Electronics and Photonics
Published: May 3, 2009
Pages: 174 - 177
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Nanoparticle Synthesis & Applications
ISBN: 978-1-4398-1782-7