Metal-polymer nanocomposite polyvinyltriazole-silver nanoparticles were obtained using one-pot synthesis in irradiated aqueous solutions of 1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole (VT) and silver ions. Gel permeation chromatography data show that upon radiation initiation, the molecular weight of poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) increases with increasing monomer concentration. To study the kinetics of polymerization and the features of the radiation-chemical formation of nanoparticles, UV-Vis spectroscopy was used. TEM images show a relatively small average size of the forming nanoparticles (2-3 nm) and a narrow size distribution, which shows the effective stabilization of nanoparticles by triazole substituents at a molar ratio of VT and silver ions of 25/1. The addition of ethyl alcohol was used to increase the efficiency of synthesis and suppress the crosslinking of macromolecules in solution. The results of the work show that aqueous-alcoholic solutions of 1 wt.% VT can be used to obtain soluble nanocomposite materials. 10 wt.% monomer solutions have prospects for use in the preparation of polymer gels filled with nanoparticles.
Keywords: metal–polymer nanocomposites; one-pot synthesis; poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole); radiation-induced reduction; silver nanoparticles.