Facile synthesis of silver immobilized-poly(methyl methacrylate)/polyethyleneimine core–shell particle composites

A facile route to synthesize silver-embedded-poly(methyl methacrylate)/polyethyleneimine (PMMA/PEI-Ag) core–shell particle composites was illustrated in this present work. PMMA/PEI core–shell particle templates were first prepared by a surfactant-free emulsion polymerization. PEI on the templatesʹ surface was further used to complex and reduce Ag+ ions (from silver nitrate solution) to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at ambient temperature, resulting in the PMMA/PEI-Ag particle composites. The formation of AgNPs was affected by the pHs of the reaction medium. The pH of reaction medium at 6.5 was optimal for the formation of PMMA/PEI-Ag with good colloidal stability, which was confirmed by size and size distribution, FTIR spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Moreover, the amount of AgNO3 solution (4.17–12.50 g) was found to affect the formation of AgNPs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the AgNPs were incorporated in the PMMA/PEI core–shell matrix, and had 6–10 nm in diameter. AgNPs immobilized on PMMA/PEI core–shell particles were also investigated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis mode extended from scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS). Furthermore, the presence of AgNPs was found to influence the thermal degradation behavior of PMMA/PEI particle composites as observed through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).