Study of metal-polymer copper nanocomposites using the method of UV spectroscopy

Abstract

New polymer copper-containing nanocomposites based on poly-N-vinylimidazole were obtained. The formation of nanocomposites was carried out using the method of chemical reduction of copper ions from a solution of copper acetate with ascorbic acid in an aqueous medium in the presence of a polymer. Nanocomposites were prepared at the polymer:Cu (II) molar ratio of 10:1 and 5:1. The reduction reaction yielded powder nanocomposites of a red-brown colour and having a metallic shine. It was found that the content of copper in the obtained nanocomposites depends on the initial molar ratio of the stabilising poly-N-vinylimidazole and Cu (II), reaching 5.9% and 11.7%. The formation of nanosized copper particles was investigated and confirmed by UV spectroscopy. The optical spectra of aqueous solutions of the obtained copper-containing nanocomposites contained maxima at 537–541 and 646–651 nm, which confirmed the formation of ultradispersed copper in the nanosized state. The obtained copper-containing nanocomposites based on poly-N-vinylimidazole are promising materials for use in medicine and catalysis, as well as in optical, sensor and electronic devices.