Glycidyl-methacry late-based electrospun mats and catalytic silver nanoparticles

Abstract

P(AN-GMA) and PGMA fibers coated with monodisperse silver nanoparticles have been prepared by a combination of electrospinning and electroless plating. The morphology of the electrospun fibers remains unchanged after surface hydrazination. Oxidation of hydrazine in an ammoniacal solution of AgNO 3 reduces and deposits silver atoms along the fiber surface, which then coalesce to Ag particles. The size of the silver nanoparticles is varied between 20-60 nm. Since the density of the active sites for silver reduction is lower in P(AN-GMA), a smaller particle size could be obtained. The catalytic activity of the silver nanoparticles has been confirmed.