| abstract |
The present invention discloses a method for producing metal-containing nanoparticles enveloped with polymers and to particles that can be obtained therefrom. In the method according to the invention, at least one anionic polymerizable monomer is polymerized at room temperature in the presence of an anionic macroinitiator. Then, first an aliphatic or aromatic sulfide is added, thereafter a solution of at least one organosoluble metal salt in an aprotic organic solvent, and finally a homogeneous reducing agent. Metal-containing nanoparticles are created, which are covalently bound to the growing anionic polymerides. The metal salts are preferably salts of silver, copper, gold, tin, lead, chromium or zinc, or mixtures thereof. Anionic polymerizable monomers are, for example, styrene (St), butadiene, isoprene, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, caprolactone, lactide, glycolide, acrylates, methacrylates, bisacrylates, cyanoacrylates, amides, siloxanes, vinyl pyridines or acrylonitrile. The particles according to the invention can be used to provide polymers in textiles and materials with an antibacterial finish. Furthermore, they are suited for producing inks. If the underlying metals are such which exhibit plasmon resonance, the particles can also be used in sensors utilizing the plasmon resonance effect. The metal-containing nanoparticles which are enveloped with polymers and accessible by using the method according to the invention do not aggregate or agglomerate, and the physical and chemical properties thereof remain unchanged for extended periods. |