A universal method for the synthesis of metal and metal sulfide clusters embedded in polymer matrices

Alkanethiolates of transition metals undergo thermolysis reactions at moderately low temperatures (120-200 °C), producing metal atoms or metal sulfide molecules and an organic by-product (disulfide or a thioether). Metal n-alkanethiolates (i.e., Mex(SCnH2n+1)y, with n = 12, 16 and 18) dissolve in polymers and the resulting solid solutions can be annealed to give polymer-embedded metal or metal sulfide clusters (i.e., metal/polymer nanocomposites). As an example, the preparation of silver, gold, cobalt and palladium clusters dispersed in polystyrene has been described, but the method is very general and a variety of metal/polymer and metal sulfide/polymer combinations can be obtained.