Polymer-grafted nanoparticles (PGNs) were synthesized by mini-emulsion polymerization using Activator Regenerated Electron Transfer (ARGET)/Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP). Initially, the surface of mono-disperse silica nanoparticles (25 nm) were modified by an ATRP initiator and different polymers such as Poly(methyl methacrylate), Polystyrene and Poly(<i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide) were grafted on the particle surface. Thereby, phase transfer agents, such as tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB), assists the transfer of monomer and the ATRP catalyst-complex to the particle surface for a locally controlled polymerization. Furthermore, the brush canopy size, graft density and molar mass of the grafted polymer chains can be controlled by changing the monomer feeding rate and the monomer concentration. The resulting well-defined PGNs are an important building block for the creation of functional superlattices by changing the entanglement and the interactions between the PGNs. This work opens the potential for photonic devices and sensors.

Preparation of polymer-grafted nanoparticles for designing 2D superlattices and arrays

2019 Fall National Meeting

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