Ultrafine conducting fibers: metallization of poly(acrylonitrile-co-glycidyl methacrylate) nanofibers

Abstract

Electrospun poly(glycidylmethacrylate) (PGMA) and poly(acrylonitrile-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (P(AN-GMA)) nanofibers were coated with monodisperse silver nanoparticles by using an electroless plating technique at ambient conditions. Oxirane groups on the surface of nanofibers were replaced with reducing agent, hydrazine. Surface modified nanofibers were allowed to react with ammonia solution of AgNO3. A redox reaction takes place and metallic silver nucleate on fibers surface. Parameters affecting the particle size were determined.