Two methods prepared polyethylene naphthalate and polyethylene terephthalate films containing silver nanoparticles grafted on their surfaces. Prior to grafting, both films were treated with tris(aminoethylene)amine. The first method involved immersing the films in a dilute solution of silver nitrate and stirring under ultraviolet light for 20 minutes, followed by washing wit water and alcohol and drying. The second method involved immersing the films in a dilute solution of silver nitrate and stirring for 10 minutes, followed by washing with water, immersing in a solution of sodium borohydride, stirring for 10 minutes, washing with water and alcohol, and drying. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, ultraviolet-visible light spectroscpy, and reflectance EDX spectroscopy characterized the composite films. Controlling the reaction conditions adjusted the size of the nanoparticles produced on the films, providing metal polymer surface systems that were a few angstroms to several nanometers in size. 14 refs.