Preparation and characterization of PEG/Bi2212 nanocomposites

Single-phase nanocomposites of Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+d (Bi2212) with organic polymer have been successfully synthesized for the first time by the foliation-adsorption technique. Colloidal suspension containing exfoliated Bi2212 nanosheets was prepared with a stepwise intercalation method. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was slowly added into colloids containing Bi2212 nanosheets. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the gallery height of Bi2212 host is expanded from 3.08 nm to 4.91 nm in PEG/Bi2212 nanocomposites. The basal plane expansion of 0.9 nm is in good agreement with the values reported for PEG-containing nanocomposites, suggesting that a PEG bilayer is incorporated within the Bi2212 nanosheets.