The fabrication of periodic polymer/silver nanoparticle structures: in situ reduction of silver nanoparticles from precursor spatially distributed in polymer using holographic exposure.

A new approach to producing volume periodic polymer-metal nanoparticle structures is presented. Periodic distribution of Ag nanoparticles in a polymer film can be obtained by applying the holographic patterning in the UV or visible spectral range to the composite material comprising photocurable monomers, photoinitiators and a solution of silver nitrate in acetonitrile. Photopolymerization of the composite in the interference pattern provides formation of a highly efficient volume grating composed of periodic polymer regions and Ag precursor-containing regions.