Low-temperature synthesis and properties of silver nanoparticles stabilised by acrylic polymers

A cryochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles stablised by poly(2-dimeth ylaminoethyl methacrylate) has been performed. It has been shown that precu rsors which do not possess optical properties of colloidal silver are prese nt in the freshly prepared organodispersion of silver in 2-(dimethylamino)e thyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) on the early stages of nanoparticle growth. Sols prepared with cryochemically synthesised silver nanoparticles in water, ac etone, and toluene were found to be sterically stabilised by macromolecular poly-DMAEMA layers formed at the surface of the nanoparticles. Dynamic lig ht scattering data show that the thickness of these layers depends on the n ature of the solvent.