METAL-COATED POLYMER PARTICLES

SEM image of Cu-coated MF particles
SEM image of Cu-coated MF particles

EDX-spectrum of Cu-coated MF particles
EDX-spectrum of Cu-coated MF particles
 
Optical microscopy image of Cu-coated MF- particles
Optical microscopy image of Cu-coated MF- particles

For preparation of metal-coated polymer particles (MF, PS) from solution, microparticles GmbH has developed different basic strategies:
  • Self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles (for instance Ag, Au) on the surface of polymer microspheres
  • Adsorption of metal ions as Pd2+, Pt2+ or Au3+ onto a special designed polymer surface, followed by reduction to nanostructured metal
  • Selective electroless deposition of metal ions on the activated particle surface resulting in a coherent thin metal film of copper, nickel, cobalt, silver, or gold.
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The extent of nanoparticle surface coverage by the self-assembly and adsorption approach can be controlled by varying the pH-value of the solution, the immersion time, the colloid concentration in solution, nanoparticle dimensions, and the chemical surface properties of the polymer particles. In this way, monodisperse microspheres with different arrangements of nanoparticles on the surface can be prepared (isolated nanoparticles, submonolayers, monolayers or multilayers).
The adsorption of the nanoparticles is very strong. Hence, rinsing with water, ultrasonication as well as acids or bases cannot remove the nanoparticles from the surface.
The deposition of noble metal colloids on the particle surface is also connected with changes in the optical properties. Compared with the colorless appearance of the original polymer particles, Au-coated, Ag-coated or Pt-coated MF or PS particles show a red-violet, yellowish, or grey color, respectively.

Applications:

  • Catalysis
  • Substrate for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)
  • Anisotropically conductive adhesives (ACAs)
  • Substrate for SAMs
  • Tracers in particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) technique
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-> Metal-coated monodisperse polymer particles on MF or PS can be produced in the size range between 200nm and 20µm according to customer requirements.
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