Synthesis of hybrid polymers using atom transfer radical polymerization: Homopolymers and block copolymers from polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane monomers

The use of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methacrylate functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) monomers is described to synthesize hybrid homopolymers and block copolymers. From this approach, homopolymers, triblock copolymers, and star-block copolymers containing POSS was prepared. While polymers containing POSS were made by other methods, using ATRP, hybrid-POSS polymers with previously unattainable compositions and drastically lower polydispersities were synthesized.