1/7/2010
Synthesis of copper–polystyrene nanocomposite particles using water in supercritical carbon dioxide medium and its antimicrobial activity
(1027–1033)Journal of Applied Polymer  Science 120 #2 (2011)
Kamrupi and Dolui of Tezpur University, India prepared copper-encapsulated polystyrene nanocomposite particles by  ex situ dispersion of Cu nanoparticles into monomer droplets and subsequent polymerization using water in supercritical carbon dioxide (water-in-sc-CO2) at 70°C.  First, colloidal dispersion of copper nanoparticles was synthesized by chemical reduction of copper chloride (CuCl2) using sodium borohydrate (NaBH4) as reducing agent.  This colloidal dispersion of copper nanoparticles was added slowly during the polymerization of styrene using water-in-sc-CO2 medium at 70°C and 20.68 MPa.  The Cu/polystyrene nanocomposite particles exhibit antimicrobial activity against a number of bacteria.   (RDC 1/10/2011)