Studies on the ultra‐fine transition metal particles dispersed in polymer matrix

A series of complexes of styrene‐4‐vinylpyridine copolymers (SVP) or poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PVP) and transition metal chlorides were prepared. The transition metal‐polymer complexes were used to prepare the ultra‐fine metallic particles dispersed in polymer matrix by chemical reduction. The effects of the ion concentration and the polymer backbone on the size of these metal particles were studied. It was found that the transition metal ions may coordinate to pyridine groups in precursor polymers after blending. Upon reduction, the metal ions were transformed into the corresponding metal particles in the range of nanometer scale. The protective polymers take an important role to prevent metal particles from oxidation and excessive aggregation.