Controlled Synthesis of Ag@Polythiophene Nanocables by Ion Adsorption Technique

Ag@Polythiophene nanocables were synthesized by Ion Adsorption Technique. In this approach, the pre-synthesized Ag nanowires were dispersed in aqueous solution of copper acetate and the Cu2+ ions adsorbed onto the surface of Ag nanowires. These nanowires were then redispersed in aqueous solution of thiophene. The adsorbed Cu2+ ions oxidized thiophene monomer to polymerize into uniform polythiophene sheath outside Ag nanowires. Thus, it has transformed pre-synthesized Ag NWs into polythiophene Nanocables (NCs). The morphology of pristine Ag NWs and Ag@polythiophene NCs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed sheathing effect at Ag NWs and indicated the successful coating over its surface. Optical and electronic properties were determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy and PL spectroscopy. The functional groups were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The peaks at 1482 cm-1, 1625 cm-1, 1223 cm1, 825 cm-1 and 722 cm-1 confirmed the polythiophene coating on Ag NWs. Furthermore, the thermal stability was monitored by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) which showed enhanced thermal stability of Ag@Polythiophene nanocables as compared to pristine Ag NWs.