Polymer–inorganic nanocomposites prepared by hydrothermal method: Preparation and characterization of PVA–transition-metal sulfides

Nanocomposites of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with iron, cobalt, or nickel sulfides were successfully prepared using a hydrothermal process by an in situ reaction with CS<INF>2</INF> at 140°C for 8 h. XRD results showed that pure phases of FeS<INF>2</INF>, CoS<INF>2</INF>, and NiS were obtained in the as-prepared nanocomposites. They also showed that the crystallinity of PVA was largely decreased after incorporation of the nano-sized sulfides. This was also confirmed by IR spectroscopy. SEM photographs showed that the sulfide particles were homogeneously dispersed in the PVA matrix. UV-visible spectroscopy was also used to characterize the as-prepared nanocomposites. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 2744–2749, 2001