Synthesis and Characterizations of Core‐Shell Hybrids of Poly(ortho‐phenylenediamine) Functionalized with Uniformly Distributed Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract A single‐step process has been demonstrated for the synthesis of core‐shell hybrid of poly( o ‐phenylenediamine) functionalized with uniformly distributed silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles as core were formed by the thermal reduction of the amine complexes of silver mono‐positive cation. The interfacial functionalization of silver nanoparticles by the =NH was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy. The uniform size of particles in core‐shell hybrid and the amount of metal nanoparticle ingrained in polymer matrix were confirmed from the characterizations, viz ., dynamic light scattering, inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy. The hybrid with ∼12 % silver loading was found to have the highest DC‐conductivity of 10 −4 S cm −1 range, even without the usage of any other dopant. The induced doping of silver nanoparticles through the functional groups of the polymer was considered to explain the conducting properties of the prepared core‐shell hybrid.