Synthesis of organic/inorganic hybrid materials using atom transfer radical polymerization

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), using inorganic macroinitiators or monomers is a versatile method to prepare organic/inorganic hybrid materials. ATRP was used to synthesize a variety of well-defined (co)polymers from acrylates, methacrylates and styrenes. Due to its radical nature, a wide range of monomers and polymers can be employed, provided that interaction with the catalyst is avoided. By incorporating an activated alkyl halide group into the targeted inorganic polymer or substrate, poly(dimethylsiloxane) and silicon wafers, functionalized with initiator groups, was used as initiator for ATRP. Similarly, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane monomers were used to prepare hybrid materials by ATRP.