Polymer-Initiated Photogeneration of Silver Nanoparticles in SPEEK/PVA Films: Direct Metal Photopatterning

Cross-linking of sulfonated poly(ether−ether)ketone−poly(vinyl alcohol) (SPEEK−PVA) materials yields flexible polymer films, possessing high light-sensitivity and ion-exchange capabilities. Adsorbed Ag+ ions are photoreduced in the film under illumination (λ = 350 nm), leading to metal nanoparticle formation in places where the film has been exposed to the light. Nanoparticles form via reduction of Ag+ by the polymeric alcohol radicals, generated in the system as a result of photochemical H-abstraction from PVA molecules by the excited carbonyl triplet state of SPEEK. Use of the films for direct metal photopatterning is demonstrated.