Synthesis of silver/epoxy nanocomposites by visible light sensitization using highly conjugated thiophene derivatives

A novel one-pot photochemical strategy for the preparation of silver-epoxy nanocomposite using a highly conjugated thiophene derivative and silver salt was described. Electron transfer reaction between photoexcited 3,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)dithieno[3,2-b;23-d]thiophene), (P-DDT) and silver salt could be achieved under visible light irradiation. The polymerization process has been demonstrated to be highly efficient in the concomitant cationic ring-opening polymerization of epoxy ring and silver ion reduction. The produced nanocomposite contains spherical shaped nanoparticles homogenously dispersed in the epoxy network with narrow size distribution in between 25 and 50 nm. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.