COMPOSITES OBTAINED VIA MATRIX AND PSEUDO-MATRIX PROCESSES (POLYMERIZATION AND NEW PHASE-FORMATION)

A variety of composites comprising complexes between macromolecules an d growing species such as macromolecules or particles may be prepared using matrix or pseudo-matrix processes. Matrix polycondensation of si lica acid in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) and other polymers in benzene resulting in formation of interpolymer complex (IPC) poly(s ilica acid)-matrix or composites including the IPC is regarded as an e xample of matrix processes providing the possibility to synthesize on IPC or composite which cannot be (or hardly may be) obtained by other ways. Theoretical aspects of pseudo-matrix processes in which pseudo-m atrix macromolecule recognizes (i.e., forms a complex with) a particle of forming new phase and terminates its subsequent growth are discuss ed. Experimental data dealing with reduction of Ni(II) in polymer solu tions and formation of nano-composites 'polymer - metallic nickel' inc luding small particles (3-5 nm in diameter) with narrow size distribut ion are presented.