The Effect of Nanoparticle Distribution on the Structure and Properties of Palladium/Polycarbonate Nanocomposites

摘要

We report the synthesis of palladium (Pd)/polycarbonate (PC) nanocomposites as well as their morphological and thermal properties. Pd nanoclusters were produced by the reduction of palladium chloride using a variation of the Brust's method. Isolated Pd nanoclusters were formed in the absence of PC in the reaction mixture (ex situ method) while agglomeration of Pd nanoclusters was noticed in the presence of PC in the reaction mixture (in situ method). The glass transition temperature (T_g), decreased by ～ 15 ℃ for both the ex situ and in situ samples. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the presence of Pd nanoclusters significantly improved the thermal stability of the nanocomposites, as evidenced by the enhanced onset of degradation by ～30℃ and ～50℃ for the in situ and ex situ nanocomposites, respectively.