Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using reverse micelle system

In this study, PS-b-PAA diblock copolymers with different PAA chain lengths have been synthesized via atom transfer free radical polymerization (ATRP) method. The synthesized copolymers have been dissolved in toluene to form reverse micelles with PS cores and PAA coronas. The synthesized copolymers have been characterized by gel permeation chromotograpy (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonans (NMR) spectrometry whereas the reverse micelles have been characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Crystal silver nanoparticles were synthesized within these micelles so called nanoreactors by reducing Ag+ ions associated with functional goups in core with different reducing agents. It has also been investigated the size change of silver nanoparticles depending on reducing agent and metal/polimer ratio. Silver nanoparticles have been characterized by TEM and X-ray diffraction (XRD).