General of formation of metal-filled polymer nanocomposites based on crazed polymer matrices and their structure

Metal-containing polymer compositions were prepared via electrolytic precipitation of a metal (copper) in solvent-crazed polymer matrices. Correlation between the structure of the initial polymer matrix and the dimensions of the disperse metallic phase is established. The total content of a metallic components is shown to be primarily controlled by the volume porosity of the polymer matrix and to depend on the tensile strain of polymer samples upon their drawing in the presence of adsorption-active liquid medium via solvent crazing. The nature of polymer and the mechanism of solvent crazing appear to exert no marked effect on precipitation of a crystalline copper in solvent-crazed polymer matrices. Dimensions of crystallites of the as-introduced metal and, hence, the level of dispersion of nanocomposites based on solvent-crazed polymers are found to be controlled by the parameters of the initial structure of the porous polymer matrix.