Novel preparation methods for metal and alloy nanoparticles in polymers

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Recently, there is much interest in materials consisting of metal nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer matrix due to their novel functional properties offering hosts of new applications. The Chair for Multicomponent Materials at the University of Kiel has a long standing expertise in the field of metal-polymer interfaces and composites. The present joint research project is concerned with novel metal and alloy nanoparticle devices. It is carried out together with the group of Prof. Deki at Kobe University. The Kiel group will focus on new approaches how to incorporate metallic nanoparticles in polymers. A particularly challenging aspect is the incorporation of alloy clusters with well defined composition to tune magnetic properties or tunneling magnetoresistance, for instance. The two main approaches taken in Kiel involve the dispersion of metal and alloy clusters by vapor-induced crystallization of amorphous polymers, and metal (co-)evaporation near and above the polymer glass transition temperature. To some extent the relaxative autodispersion process developed in Kobe will also be used. Finally, physical properties and aging of the resulting nanocomposites will be investigated. Preparatory studies demonstrating the feasibility of the above approaches have been carried out in close cooperation with the Kobe group. This is the second joint DFG/JPS project of both groups. The cooperation has meanwhile stimulated a formal contract between the engineering departments and active exchange of university members.