Small-angle X-ray scattering study of the structure of self-organized polymer matrices and formation of imbedded metal nanoparticles

The structures of self-organizing polymer matrices based on collapsed gels and polyoctadecylsiloxanes have been studied by the methods of conventional and anomalous X-ray small-angle scattering with the use of the laboratory and synchrotron sources of X-ray radiation. The process of formation of met al nanoparticles in such matrices is also studied, their size distributions are calculated, and the models of localization of these particles in the p olymer matrices are suggested. It is shown that growth of metal particles i s controlled by the structure of the polymer network and is limited by the dimensions of its cells. The electron-density profiles of polycondensed oct adecylsiloxane matrices are also calculated. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperi odica".