Eur. Phys. J. D 16, 305-308 (2001)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s100530170116

Composition dependence on dispersion of Au/Cu bimetallic nanoparticles in nylon 11 thin films

¹ Division of Molecular Science, The Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kobe University, Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
² Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kobe University, Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan

Corresponding author: ^a akamatsu@cx2.cx.kobe-u.ac.jp

Received: 29 November 2000
Published online: 15 September 2001

Abstract

Effect of composition on the dispersion of Au_xCu bimetallic nanoparticles into nylon 11 matrix has been investigated. TEM, EDX, and XPS depth profiling were used for characterizing the changes in the composition of the bimetallic particles and in the depth distribution of the particles in the nylon 11 layer caused by heat treatment in N₂ atmosphere. The island-like bimetallic particles were found to be formed on the nylon 11 surface before heat treatment. The results of XPS depth profiling revealed that, by the heat treatment, the Au_xCu bimetallic particles with were not dispersed into the nylon 11 layer while those with were homogeneously dispersed in the films, indicating the existence of critical composition for penetration of the bimetallic particles. By comparing the composition and structure of the bimetallic particles, the cause of these finding is discussed in terms of surface free energy of the particles.