Radiolytic incorporation of gold nanoparticles into PVA hydrogel

This work describes the Au-PVA hydrogel nanocomposites synthesized by radiolytic in situincorporation of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel. Synthesis of nanocomposites was conducted as two-step gamma irradiation induced process. In the first step, the crosslinking of polymer chains occurs and PVA hydrogel with a large number of pores was obtained. In the second step, these pores serve as nanoreactors for the formation of Au NPs. The presence of Au NPs was confirmed by absorption spectra, while morphological and structural analysis reveals the spherical shape of Au NPs, with the diameter around 15 nm and fcccrystal structure. The structural parameters of xerogels indicate that incorporation of Au NPs induce the expansion of polymer network. Long-time stability of Au-PVA hydrogel nanocomposites is caused by interactions between the surface of Au NPs and OH groups of PVA chains.Physical chemistry 2016 : 13th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 26-30 September 201