Eur. Phys. J. D 24, 377-380 (2003)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2003-00116-7

Fabrication and structural characterization of nanocomposites consisting of Ni nanoparticles dispersed in polyimide films

¹ Faculty of Science and Engineering, High Technology Research Center, Konan University, 8-9-1 Okamoto, Higashinada, Kobe 658-8501, Japan
² Graduate School of Science, Konan University, 8-9-1 Okamoto, Higashinada, Kobe 658-8501, Japan

Corresponding author: ^a akamatsu@center.konan-u.ac.jp

Received: 10 September 2002
Published online: 3 July 2003

Abstract

Formation and structure of composite layer consisting of polyimide films containing Ni nanoparticles were investigated. The preparation method relies on KOH treatment on polyimide film to form carboxyl acid groups and adsorption of Ni ions by ion exchange followed by hydrogen reduction. The amount of Ni ions adsorbed in polyimide films were found to be systematically controlled by changing initial KOH concentration, subsequent ion exchange time, pH and temperature. Cross-sectional TEM observation revealed that Ni nanoparticles with 3-5 nm in diameter were homogeneously dispersed in the surface modified polyimide layer after heat treatment above 250 C in H₂ atmosphere. The size and distribution of the Ni nanoparticles were strongly dependent on the heat treatment temperature, indicating that this method allows microstructural tuning of metal/polymer nanocomposites.