Facile Fabrication Method of PS/Ni Nanocomposite Spheres and Their Catalytic Property

Abstract

In this paper we present a novel and facile method to fabricate polystyrene/nickel (PS/Ni) nanocomposite spheres. In this approach, the negatively charged PS colloids bearing −COOH groups on the surfaces were used as templates, and the Ni2+ ions and a small amount of Ag+ ions were then adsorbed onto the surfaces of the PS colloids via electrostatic interaction and reduced in situ by hydrazine hydrate. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry indicated that metal nanoparticles were successfully deposited onto the surfaces of the PS colloids. The influence of some parameters, such as the amount of −COOH and PVP groups on the PS colloid surface, Ni2+ ion concentration, etc., on the morphology of the nanocomposite spheres was investigated. UV−vis spectra showed these nanocomposite spheres had a very good catalytic property.