Effect of metal clusters on the swelling of gold–fluorocarbon–polymer composite films

Abstract

We have investigated the swelling of acetone in fluorocarbon polymer films doped with different gold concentrations below the percolation threshold. The presence of the gold clusters in the polymer improves the mixing between the polymer and the acetone, which is not a good solvent for this kind of polymer. To explain our results, the stoichiometry and the morphology of the polymer–metal system have been studied and a modified Flory–Huggins model has been developed.