Synthesis and characterization of organic/inorganic hybrid nanoparticles: Kinetics of surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization and morphology of hybrid nanoparticle ultrathin films

Jeffrey Pyun, Shijun Jia, Tomasz Kowalewski, Gary D. Patterson, Krzysztof Matyjaszewski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

345 Scopus citations

Abstract

The synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles was conducted by the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene and (meth)acrylates from colloidal surfaces. Colloidal initiators were prepared by the functionalization of silica colloids with 2-bromoisobutyrate groups. ATRP from colloidal surfaces was then performed to attach well-defined homopolymers and block copolymers to an inorganic core. Kinetics of the ATRP of styrene (Sty), n-butyl acrylate (BA), and methyl methacrylate (MMA) under identical reaction conditions were investigated. Hybrid nanoparticles containing block copolymers of pSty6-pBA (Mn = 22 300; Mw/Mn = 1.20), pMMA-b-pBA (Mn = 29 400; Mw/Mn = 1.28), and pBA-b-pMMA (Mn = 17 300; Mw/Mn = 1.28) were prepared, and hydrolysis of silica cores by hydrofluoric acid treatment enabled characterization of cleaved copolymers using size exclusion chromatography and 1H NMR. Ultrathin films of hybrid nanoparticles were examined using transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5094-5104
Number of pages11
JournalMacromolecules
Volume36
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 15 2003
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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