Transmission electron microscopy. Bright-field TEM images were
obtained with a Jeol IEM-2010 electron microscope, operating at
200 kV. Specimens were prepared by evaporating a sample drop on
a 300-mesh carbon-coated copper grid (Lacey). Qwin software (V3)
for digital image processing and analysis was used for determining
the nanohybrid size employing multiple pictures from different
areas.
Atomic force microscopy. Tapping mode AFM measurements were
performed using a Multimode/Nanoscope IV system (Digital
Instruments) and Si cantilevers (OMCL-AC160 TS, Olympus). We
prepared the samples depositing a drop of the hydrosols on a
freshly cleaved mica sheet. The samples were dried in a desiccator
at low vacuum and at room temperature. AFM inspection were
performed in air at room temperature.
Dynamic Light Scattering. Measurements were performed on
polyPCDA/AgNPs suspended in water at 25 °C by using a Zetasizer
Light Scattering Mod. Nano-Z6 (Malvern Instruments). In this instrument
a 4 mW He–Ne laser (λ = 633 nm) provides the light
beam and time correlation of the light scattered at 173° is performed
according to non-invasive back scatter technology (NIBS).
Field emission scanning electron microscopy. The morphology of the
blue polymerized colloids was assessed by a ZEISS SUPRA 40 VP
Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), operating
at 20 keV in both direct (In-Lens mode) and back-scattered (QBSD
mode) configuration. To obtain good images of the non-conductive
polymeric material, the samples were covered with a thin layer of
graphite by means of a sputter coater (Polaron E5100).