Blending Approach Preparation of PVA--PMA Films with Embedded "Green" Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles for Acetone Optical Detection.

The blending approach (also known as the ex-situ approach) was used for the deposition of thin composite films comprising poly(vinyl alcohol--methyl acrylate) (PVA--PMA) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Firstly, the copolymer aqueous dispersion was synthesized through the redox polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) using ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate as the initiator. Then, AgNPs were synthesized through a "green" method using the water extract of lavender based on by-products of the essential oil industry, and then they were blended with the polymer.