Nanoparticle Formation within Dendrimer-Containing Polymer Networks:  Route to New Organic−Inorganic Hybrid Materials

Higher generation poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers have the unique ability to act as templates for the formation of inorganic nanoclusters. Here, we use dendrimers dispersed in a polymer matrix to create a new type of polymer−inorganic composite material. Hydrophilic polymer networks (poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)) that contain poly(amidoamine) dendrimers were swollen in aqueous solution, and metal ions were attached to the dendrimers. Chemical reduction on these precursor ions results in nanoparticles that are located inside the dendrimers, which are dispersed in the polymer matrix. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize gold, platinum, and copper nanoclusters within the polymer networks. These new organic−inorganic hybrid materials may be important for a combination of optical or catalytic properties of the colloids with the mechanical properties provided by the polymer network.