Metal colloid formation in the complexes of polyelectrolyte gels with oppositely charged surfactants

The interaction of Pt, Au and Ni ions with the complexes of cationic gel of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDADMACl) with two anionic surfactants: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate (SDBS) was investigated. After reduction of metal compounds by hydrazine-hydrate or sodium borohydride, colloidal particles of Pt, Au and Ni embedded in the body of the hydrogel were formed. It was found by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) that when the PDADMACl/SDS complexes interact with metal ions, the nanostructures are disturbed and the degree of disordering depends on the type of metal compound. PDADMACl/SDBS complexes seem to be more stable towards metal ion incorporation. By SEM and AFM data it was shown that gold colloid formation is controlled by the ordering in the PDADMACl/SDS complex which prevents the aggregation of metal colloids. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. An rights reserved.