Kinetic regularities of thermal decomposition of polycarbonate films containing Pt, Au, Ag, and Ni nanoparticles

The kinetic regularities of thermal destruction of polycarbonate films containing Pt, Au, Ag, and Ni nanoparticles were studied. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, as well as surface plasmon resonance absorption spectra, were used to determine the sizes and shapes of metal nanoparticles in composite films. Nanocomposites were obtained by various methods: by reduction of a precursor in a polycarbonate solution followed by evaporation of the solvent; by deposition on a polymer film surface of nanoparticles formed as a result of diode sputtering of metal in argon plasma or laser ablation in superfluid helium. The rate of thermal decomposition of polycarbonate nanocomposites exceeded the rate of decomposition of the starting polymer. The highest catalytic ability was exhibited by Pt, Au, and Ni nanoparticles in the form of nanowires with diameters of 2–6 nm.