Synthesis and characterization of silver/thiophene nanocomposites by UV-irradiation method

Silver/thiophene (Ag/Th) nanocomposites have been prepared by UV-irradiation method. The resulting products were characterized by Elemental Analysis (EA), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), optical absorption spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). We prepared Ag/Th nanocomposites successfully for the first time without any reducing or binding agent. XRD patterns are consistent with that of silver and thiophene molecules are present in the final products. A SEM image shows the uniform particles distribution. The particles are spherical in nature and seem to be nanosized, typically in the range of < 100 nm. Finally, we observed a strong interaction between the Ag⁺ ion and sulfur atom of thiophene ring. This work provides a simple route for the synthesis of Ag/Th nanocomposites.