Synthesis of copper nanoparticles in polycarbonate by ion implantation

Copper nanoparticles have been synthesized in polycarbonate by 75 KeV Cu⁻ ion implantation with various doses ranging from 6.4 × 10¹⁵ to 1.6 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm² with a beam current density of 800 nA/cm². The composites formed were structurally characterized using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Visible) absorption spectroscopy. The appearance of particle plasmon resonance peak, characteristic of copper nanoparticles at 603 nm in absorption spectra of polycarbonate implanted to a dose of 1.6 × 10¹⁷ ions/cm², indicates towards the formation of copper nanoparticles in polycarbonate. Transmission electron microscopy further confirms the formation of copper nanoparticles having size ∼ 3.15 nm. The formation of copper nanoparticles in the layers carbonized by Cu⁻ implantation has been discussed. The synthesized copper-polycarbonate nanocomposite has been found to be more conducting than polycarbonate as ascertained using current-voltage characteristics.