Synthesis of silver-coated polystyrene latex through in situ metal reduction

Silver-coated polymer nanocomposites have a broad range of applications, such as optical sensors and anti-microbial coatings. Here, silver ions were reduced in situ, on the surface of carboxylated polystyrene particles to synthesize silver-coated polystyrene particles. Silver ion-to-hydrazine (reducing agent) concentration ratio was identified as a critical parameter influencing the size of the coated nanoparticles and the extent of coverage. Higher values of this ratio resulted in smaller silver nanoparticles (similar to 4 nm), higher surface coverage of polymer particles (similar to 30%), and higher percentage of coated particles (similar to 90%). These observations were rationalized through nucleation and growth kinetics of the silver reduction process.