We report a new Ag nanoparticle-dispersed polymer nanocomposite for volume holographic recording through acrylic photopolymerization. The initial grating buildup dynamics at the inhibition stage are measured at various Ag nanoparticle concentrations. The refractive index modulation amplitude as large as 0.0069 at 633 nm is seen at the optimum Ag nanoparticle concentration of 1 wt.% with respect to the monomer. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements show that Ag nanoparticles influence both the generation of alkyl radicals and the scavenging of oxygen in free radical photopolymerization. This mechanism intrinsically determines the molecular weight of polymer being formed and, thereby, affects the refractive index modulation amplitude of the formed grating as a function of Ag nanoparticle concentrations. Moreover, we confirm that two-beam holographic exposure leads to a periodic assembly of dispersed Ag nanoparticles using a dark-field microscopy. Our results suggest a simple way to control the photopolymerization and, therefore, to tailor polymers for practical uses.
