Preparation of Ag/PVP Nanocomposites as a Solid Precursor for Silver Nanocolloids Solution

A polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/Ag nanocomposites was prepared by the simultaneous thermal reduction and radical polymerization route. The in situ synthesis of the Ag/PVP nanocomposites is based on the finding that the silver n-propylcarbamate (Ag-PCB) complex can be directly dissolved in the NVP monomer, and decomposed by only heat treatment in the range of 110 to $130^{\circ}C$ to form silver metal. Silver nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution (5 - 40 nm) were obtained, which were well dispersed in the PVP matrix. A successful synthesis of Ag/PVP nanocomposites then proceeded upon heat treatment as low as $110^{\circ}C$. Moreover, important advantages of the in situ synthesis of Ag/PVP composites include that no additives (e.g. solvent, surface-active agent, or reductant of metallic ions) are used, and that the stable silver nanocolloid solution can be directly prepared in high concentration simply by dissolving the Ag/PVP nanocomposites in water or organic solvent.