Nanodispersed metal and metal oxide particles in polymeric matrices from polyacrylonitrile precursors

Marina V. Seregina. Two ways of the colloid formation of metals and metal oxides in the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and its copolymer (1.5 wt % of itaconic acid) (PAN-I) have been studied. The thermal decomposition of W, Mo and Cr carbonyl complexes with PAN, prepared by the interaction of PAN nitrile groups with VI B group metal hexacarbonyls has been investigated. The thermolysis under air leads to a formation of metal oxide particles. For the Cr-containing PAN, the presence of dispersed Cr₂O₃ with a size less than 3 nm was estimated by ESR. Co-containing polymers were prepared by mixing Co₂(CO)₈ with PAN-I in DMF. It was found that Co₂(CO)₈ interacts with DMF giving salt [Co(DMF)₆]²⁺[Co(CO)₄]-₂. By ferromagnetic resonance and SAXS, colloid size depends on thermolysis conditions and loading of the Co complex and varies from 1 to 10 nm.