Abstract
The diffusion properties of model metal nanoparticle dispersions in polymeric matrices of several different molecular weights are studied. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry is used to measure the depth distribution of gold nanoparticles within thin layers of poly(t-butyl acrylate) (PTBA). Gold particle diffusion coefficients are obtained from measured gold particle depth distributions in annealed samples for which the molecular weights of the two PTBA layers are identical. It is revealed that particle mobility is decreased by two to three orders of magnitude compared with the predictions of the Stokes-Einstein model particle of diffusion. These results are attributed to bridging interactions between particles arising from slow exchange kinetics of polymer segments at the polymer/metal interface.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 147-157 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Materials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings |
| Volume | 461 |
| State | Published - Jan 1 1997 |
| Event | Proceedings of the 1996 MRS Fall Meeting - Boston, MA, USA Duration: Dec 4 1996 → Dec 5 1996 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Mechanics of Materials
- Mechanical Engineering