Holographic nanocomposites for recording polymer-nanoparticle periodic structures: I. General approach to choice of components of nanocomposites and their holographic properties

We studied polymerizable nanocomposites for obtaining polymer-nanoparticle periodic structures by a holographic method. A general approach to choosing components of composites is developed that ensures a maximal contrast and high efficiency of structures for different types of nanoparticles. We found that the optimal monomeric component of a nanocomposite is a combination of single- and multifunctional monomers with substantially different reactivities. In this case, the low-reactivity monomer should posses a low viscosity, be a good solvent for nanoparticles, and have a low thermodynamic affinity to the polymer network formed upon the polymerization of the high-reactivity monomer. We developed a holographic composition based on known commercially produced monomers that ensures the formation of highly efficient periodic structures for nanoparticles of different types. We described the holographic properties of obtained nanocomposites, as well as parameters of bulk grati ngs recorded in them.