Hybrid Coatings Containing Silver Nanoparticles Generated In situ in a Thiol-Ene Photocurable System

Novel silver/polymer composites based on thiol-ene chemistry are prepared by an in situ bottom-up approach. The in situ synthesis of silver particles inside the polymer matrix is achieved in one pot by photoreduction reaction in presence of a silver precursor and the concurrent crosslinking reaction. XPS analysis confirms the formation of silver particles; TEM morphological investigation shows a very good dispersion and distribution of the nanometric silver particles within the thiolene network. Antimicrobial properties of the photocured hybrids are also evaluated.