Nanoparticle formation within dendrimer-containing polymer networks: Routeto new organic-inorganic hybrid materials

Higher generation poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers have the unique abili ty td act as templates for the formation of inorganic nanoclusters. Here, w e use dendrimers dispersed in a polymer matrix to create a new type of poly mer-inorganic composite material. Hydrophilic polymer networks (poly(2-hydr oxyethyl methacrylate)) that contain poly(amidoamine) dendrimers were swoll en in aqueous solution, and metal ions were attached to the dendrimers. Che mical reduction on these precursor ions results in nanoparticles that are l ocated inside the dendrimers, which are dispersed in the polymer matrix. Sm all-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM ) were used to characterize gold, platinum, and copper nanoclusters within the polymer networks. These new organic-inorganic hybrid materials may be i mportant for a combination of optical or catalytic properties of the colloi ds with the mechanical properties provided by the polymer network.