Preparation of optical functional nanocomposites of polymer based metallic nanoparticles

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Franz Faupel
• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: from 2005 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5438342

Recently, there is much interest in nanocomposite materials consisting of noble metal nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer matrix due to their novel optical functional properties observed at the surface or particle plasmon resonances as a result of dielectric and quantum confinement effects during interactions with light. The Chair for Muticomponent Materials at the University of Kiel has a long standing expertise in the field of metal-polymer interfaces and composites. The present research project is concerned with producing polymer-based metal containing optical nanocomposites for functionale applications. Emphasis will be put on the preparation of nanocomposite films as well as multilyered structures of multicomponent nanocomposites and on clarifying the underlying mechanisms. In particular, we will strive for approaches that allow formation of optical nanocomposites of well defined compositions covering upto percolation composites. Two solvent free central methods of vapor phase codeposition and rf co-sputtering will be investigated in parallel for simultaneous deposition of metal and polymer. These complimentary codeposition techniques are expected to lead to develope optical nanocomposite materials with the desired and optimized compositions and to establish new facts by simulatenous studies with the two production methods. Preparatory studies already carried out in this direction have demonstrated the feasibility of the above approaches. Finally, physical properties and aging of the resulting nanocomposites will also be investigated.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants