The formation of porous nickel-containing polyacrylate nanocomposites

The formation of porous nickel-polyacrylate nanocomposites (the sorption of nickel ions by a polyacrylate matrix followed by their reduction with thiourea dioxide) was studied. The kinetics of sorption of nickel ions was determined, and the diffusion coefficient was found using the method of a moving boundary. Transmission electron microscopy was used to establish the size and distribution of nickel nanoparticles in a porous matrix depending on synthesis conditions. The localization of nanoparticles only inside polymer pores was shown to be determined by a decrease in the barrier to nucleation because of the heterogeneous nucleation mechanism. Nickel nanoparticles stabilized by polyacrylates can be used to decrease the intensity of high-power laser radiation.