Structure-Phase Changes in Polymer Composites Doped with Silver Nitrate and Their Electrocatalytic Activity

Abstract

Polymer-silver composites are prepared by in situ introducing silver(I) nitrate to the oxidative polymerization of aniline and polycondensation of aniline or melamine with formaldehyde. The data of the X-ray phase analysis and electron microscopy are used to study structure-phase changes and morphological features of the structure of composites after synthesis and in electrochemical systems, after their saturation with hydrogen and in the course of o-nitroaniline electrohydrogenation. It is shown that silver micro- and nanoparticles are formed as a result of chemical and/or electrochemical reduction of silver cations. A different electrocatalytic activity of the synthesized silver-containing composites as related to the structure of their polymer matrix is established.