Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-Polystyrene/TiO2 Nanocomposites Via Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization

A diblock copolymer, poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-polystyrene (PMMA-b-PS), was grafted onto the surface of nano-titania (nano-TiO₂) successfully via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles was modified initially by attaching dithioester groups to the surface using silane coupling agent 3-(chloropropyl)triethoxy silane and sodium ethyl xanthate. The polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene were then initiated and propagated on the TiO₂ surface by RAFT polymerization. The resulting composite nanoparticles were characterized by means of XPS, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and TGA. The results confirmed the successful grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and diblock copolymer chains onto the surface of TiO₂. The amount of PMMA grafted onto the TiO₂ surface increased with the polymerization time. Moreover, the kinetic studies revealed that the ln([M]₀/[M]), where [M]₀ is the initial and [M] is the time dependent monomer concentrations, increased linearly with the polymerization time, indicating the living characteristics of the RAFT polymerization.     

Functionalization of Graphene Sheets via Chemically Grafting of PMMA Chains Through in-situ Polymerization

In this work, we report the preparation of graphene nanoplatelet which covalently functionalized with PMMA chains by introduction of vinyl groups onto graphene surface through simple esterification reaction between hydroxyl groups of graphite oxide and methacrylic anhydride. The synthesis is followed by in-situ polymerization with MMA monomers. The structural properties were characterized with X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) that showed the crystalline graphite is converted to individual layers during the synthesis steps. The grafting of PMMA chains was monitored with IR spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The TGA results revealed 40% wt of PMMA chains chemically grafted onto graphene surface. Significant increase in glass transition temperature (T_g) and existence of polymer chains in two positions (physically absorbed and chemically grafting onto graphite surface) are indicated by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis.     

Studies on UV‐stability of poly(MMA‐co‐M12‐co‐BPMA)/TiO2composite particles prepared by ultrasonically initiated emulsion polymerization

In this paper, poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐sodium sulfopropyl lauryl maleate‐co‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐(3‐methacryloxy‐2‐hydroxylpropoxy) benzophenone)/TiO₂ (i.e., poly(MMA‐co‐M12‐co‐BPMA)/TiO₂) composite particles were prepared by ultrasonically initiated emulsion polymerization. To study the dispersion and UV‐stability of the composite particles, laser diffraction particle size analyzer (LDPSA), ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectroscopy (UV‐vis), UV‐vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and the weight loss measurement were used. The results indicate that the dispersion of the poly(MMA‐co‐M12‐co‐BPMA)/TiO₂ composite particles prepared by ultrasonically initiated emulsion polymerization is good. And the composite particles can absorb UV light; the ultraviolet absorption strength of poly(MMA‐co‐M12‐co‐BPMA) grafted onto the surface of TiO₂ has not changed after UV irradiation while that of PMMA changed significantly. The UV absorption strength, weight loss, and Tg changes are in the order PMMA> poly(MMA‐co‐M12‐co‐BPMA) >PMMA grafted onto TiO₂> poly(MMA‐co‐M12‐co‐BPMA) grafted onto TiO₂. These results show that the ultrasonically initiated emulsion polymerization will enhance the UV stability of composite particles, and the UV‐stability of PMMA can be enhanced by the introduction of the organic UV‐stabilizer BPMA and the inorganic UV‐stabilizer titanium dioxide into the PMMA chains by covalent bond, and the effect of the BPMA and the TiO₂ used together is better than that used, respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fabrication of zinc oxide/poly(styrene) grafted nanocomposite latex and its dispersion

Zinc oxide nanoparticles, with an average size of about 40 nm, were encapsulated by polystyrene using in situ emulsion polymerization in the presence of 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) as a coupling agent and polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether (OP-10) as a surfactant. Polymerization mechanism of nanocomposite latex was discussed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) proved the presence of ZnO nanoparticle appeared to be monodisperse in nanosize in polymer composite particles. ZnO/PS nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results of FT-IR and XPS revealed that the surface of ZnO particle was successfully grafted by PS through the link of the coupling agent between ZnO and polymer. TGA and DSC results indicated an enhancement of thermal stability of composite materials compared with the pure polymer. SEM (scanning electron microscope) images showed a perfect dispersion of the ZnO particles in latex film. In addition, UV-visible absorption measurements demonstrated that the ZnO/PS composite coatings display a perfect performance of absorbing UV light.     

The catalytic role of oxide in the thermooxidative degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate)-TiO2 nanocomposites

The influence of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was investigated by TGA. The studied materials were characterized by Py-GC-MS, TEM, SEM, TGA, DSC and TGA-MS. The PMMA-TiO₂ nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending with different (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% TiO₂) loadings. According to TGA results and to the activation energy (determined by the model-free isoconversional method of Vyazovkin), the incorporation of 5 wt% of TiO₂ nanoparticles into PMMA stabilizes it by more than 40 °C. However, for higher loading contents, a catalytic effect on the thermal decomposition was observed which increased with the oxide content. The results obtained by Py-GC-MS showed clearly that TiO₂ increases the formation of methanol, methacrylic acid and propanoic acid methyl ester during the degradation of PMMA. This catalytic effect could be explained through the interaction of the methoxy group of the methacrylate function with the hydroxyl groups present at the surface of the oxide particles.     

The soapless emulsion polymerization for the encapsulation of aluminosiloxane sol with PMMA

In the methyl methacrylate (MMA)-K₂S₂O₈-H₂O system we investigated the effect of initiator concentration, monomer amount, and quantity of aluminosiloxane sol on the rate of soapless emulsion polymerization. The kinetic characteristic suggests that the particles grow in accordance with the encapsulation mechanism. FT-IR confirmed that PMMA had been covalently combined with the aluminosiloxane sol. The morphology analysis by TEM confirmed that the composite particles have core-shell structure.     

纳米SiO_2锚固光敏基团引发MMA光接枝聚合研究

对纳米SiO2进行了锚固光引发剂的表面修饰,进而引发甲基丙烯酸甲脂(MMA)光接枝聚合制备有机/无机复合粒子.纳米SiO2粒子首先用氯化亚砜进行表面氯化,再与光引发剂2-羟基-4-(2-羟基乙氧基)-2-甲基苯丙酮(Irgacure2959)反应从而锚固上光引发剂.通过紫外光引发MMA在经过修饰过的纳米SiO2表面上进行表面光接枝聚合.采用IR、TGA和TEM等方法表征了接枝前后纳米粒子的变化,证明了表面接枝物的存在,并研究了不同反应条件对单体转化率、接枝率和接枝效率的影响.研究结果表明,搅拌对接枝过程的影响比较显著.TGA结果显示未搅拌聚合时接枝率只能达到比较小的程度,而在搅拌条件下180min内MMA的接枝率可达到110%.     

Influence of surface modified TiO2 nanoparticles by gallates on the properties of PMMA/TiO2 nanocomposites

Nanocomposites based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by in situ radical polymerization of MMA in solution. The surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles was modified with four gallic acid esters (octyl, decyl, lauryl and cetyl gallate). The content of gallates present on the surface of TiO₂ was calculated from the TGA results. The influence of length of hydrophobic tail of amphiphilic alkyl gallates on dispersability of surface modified TiO₂ nanoparticles in PMMA matrix, the molecular weight and glass transition temperature of PMMA, as well as the thermal stability of the prepared PMMA/TiO₂ nanocomposites in nitrogen and air was investigated. The influence of content of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the properties of these nanocomposites was also examined. The formation of a charge transfer complex between the surface Ti atoms and the gallates was confirmed by FTIR and UV spectroscopy. TEM micrographs of the PMMA/TiO₂ nanocomposites revealed that degree of TiO₂ aggregation can be significantly lowered by increasing the length of aliphatic part of the used gallates. The molecular weight of PMMA slightly decreases with the increase of TiO₂ content, indicating that used TiO₂ nanoparticles act as radical scavengers during the polymerization of MMA. The presence of surface modified TiO₂ nanoparticles do not have an influence on the mobility of PMMA chain segments leading to the same values of glass transition temperature for all investigated samples. Thermal and thermo-oxidative stability of the PMMA matrix are improved by introducing TiO₂ nanoparticles modified with gallates.     

Surface Modification of Nano－SiO2 by Grafting PMMA／PBA

The surface of nano-SiO2 was modified by being encapsulated with hydroxy-propyl-methyl cellulose (HPMC), and then co-grafted with acrylates. The grafting conditions, such as pH of the medium, and initiator concentration have been studied. The modified nano-SiO2 particles were characterized by TEM, DSC and FT-IR spectra. TEM images show that the surface of the nano-particles has been successfully modified by a thick layer of film-like polymer in this way. The DSC results show that the decomposition temperature of modified nano-particles of SIO2 is 90 ℃ higher than that of grafted-on polymer. According to the FT-IR spectra, It is convinced that poly-methyl methacrylate ( PMMA ) and poly-acrylic butyl-ester ( PBA ) were co-grafted onto the surface of nano-SiO2.     

Reverse Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of MMA in the Presence of CaCO3/SiO2 Two-Component Composite Particles

Summary: We previously discovered that structurally well-defined polymer/inorganic composite particles, i.e., poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/CaCO₃/SiO₂ three-component composite particles, can be achieved via reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), using 2,2′-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile as initiator and Cu^II bromide as catalyst. In the present study, the influence of the mass ratio of CaCO₃/SiO₂ two-component composite particles to methyl methacrylate (MMA) on the rate and behavior of the polymerization was studied in detail. The results illustrate that increasing the mass ratio of CaCO₃/SiO₂ two-component composite particles will decrease the overall rate of polymerization of MMA under standard reverse ATRP conditions. Thermal properties of the obtained well-defined particles were characterized and determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicate that well-defined PMMA chains grafted on the surface of CaCO₃/SiO₂ particles were only degraded by random chain scission of C C linkages within the PMMA chain, which is different from the degradation of PMMA chains prepared via traditional radical polymerization. This difference is reasonably ascribed to the difference between the end groups of PMMA prepared via reverse ATRP and that via traditional radical polymerization, which has been confirmed by end group analysis measured by ¹H–NMR spectroscopy.     

纳米TiO2表面接枝聚苯乙烯及其抗紫外老化研究

利用偶联剂γ-甲基丙烯酰氧基丙基三甲氧基硅烷(KH570)对纳米TiO₂进行表面预处理, 在此基础上通过分散聚合工艺制备聚苯乙烯(PSt)接枝包覆纳米TiO₂. 运用红外光谱、热重分析及透射电镜对处理前后纳米TiO₂进行了表征, 并通过紫外人工加速老化试验比较了表面处理前后纳米TiO₂对聚丙烯/聚苯乙烯(PP/PSt)体系的抗紫外老化性能. 结果显示: KH570与纳米TiO₂表面羟基进行了缩合, PSt在粒子表面实现了接枝聚合, 接枝率约为60% (w); PSt接枝包覆纳米TiO₂呈均匀的微球形, 纳米TiO₂被包覆于微球内部; PSt接枝包覆后纳米TiO₂在PP/PSt中的分散效果较改性前有显著的改进, 其抗紫外老化性能明显优于改性前体系.     

Nanocomposite based on modified TiO2–BSA for functional applications

A novel nanocomposite based on TiO₂–protein for functional applications was prepared and characterized. The composite was made by covalent immobilisation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on to the TiO₂ particles. BSA was attached to the TiO₂ powder through a three-step process. This involves the functionalization of the TiO₂ particles with silane and the subsequent coupling by glutaraldehyde to free NH₂ groups of the protein. Formation of Schiff's base was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and the optimum loading of the BSA was found to be 73.61%. Surface morphology of the composite was studied by SEM and TEM. Thermal analysis of TiO₂–BSA composite was carried out by TGA and DSC. Structural variation of the BSA after immobilisation was studied by CD spectra.     

Synthesis and characterization of well-defined poly(methyl methacrylate)/CaCO3/SiO2 three-component composite particles via reverse atom transfer radical polymerization

The attempt to prepare structurally well-defined polymer/inorganic composite particles, i.e., poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/CaCO₃/SiO₂ three-component composite particles, via reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), using 2-2′-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile as initiator and Cu(II) bromide as catalyst was reported. CaCO₃/SiO₂ two-component composite particles were first obtained through sol–gel method, and their morphology and surface element information were determined by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The results indicate that the CaCO₃ was encapsulated by the obtained SiO₂. After being modified by silane coupling agent, the CaCO₃/SiO₂ composite particles copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) under standard reverse ATRP conditions to produce PMMA/CaCO₃/SiO₂ three-component composite particles. In the case concerned, first-order kinetic plots and linear increase of molecular weight (Mn) vs conversion and narrow molecular weight distribution for the graft polymer samples were observed. Furthermore, the gel permeation chromatography results illustrated that both the free PMMA chains from the solvent and the graft PMMA chains from the surface of CaCO₃/SiO₂ two-component composite particles were growing at the same rate. Characterizations of the PMMA-grafted CaCO₃/SiO₂ composite particles were done by Fourier transform infrared and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the surface of the modified inorganic particles was grafted by the MMA and that the grafting percentage was about 8.7%.     

A facile strategy to modify TiO2 nanoparticles via surface‐initiated ATRP of styrene

A core‐shell hybrid nanocomposites, possessing a hard core of nano titanium dioxide (n‐TiO₂) and a soft shell of brushlike polystyrene (PS), were successfully prepared by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) at 90 °C in anisole solution using CuBr/PMDETA as the catalyst, in the presence of sacrificial initiator. FTIR, ¹H NMR, XPS, TEM, SEM, TGA, and DSC were used to determine the chemical structure, morphology, thermal properties, and the grafted PS quantities of the resulting products. TEM images of the samples provided direct evidence for the formation of a core‐shell structure. The thermal stabilities of the grafted polymers were dramatically elevated relative to that of pristine PS according to TGA results. DSC results demonstrated that the TiO₂‐PS nanocomposites exhibited higher glass transition temperature (T_g) compared with pristine PS. The molecular weights of the free polymers formed by sacrificial initiator, which were similar to that of surface‐attached polymers were measured by GPC instrument which showed that the molecular weights of PS were well controlled with a relatively narrow polydispersity index (PDI < 1.2). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1782–1790, 2010     

Facile Preparation of Polystyrene Grafted Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles Via Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Polystyrene grafted calcium carbonate nanoparticles (PS-CaCO₃) were successfully prepared by the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) of styrene from the chloroactic acid modified calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CA-CaCO₃), with Cu(I)Br/1,10-phenanthroline as catalytic system in toluene. The percentage of grafting (PG%) was found to be 230% after a polymerizing time of 24 hours with the conversion of monomer (C%) of 25%, calculated from the TGA results. The PS-CaCO₃ nanoparticles had been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and transmission electron microscope (TEM).     

Titanium dioxide/poly(methyl methacrylate) composite microspheres prepared by in situ suspension polymerization and their ability to protect against UV rays

Homogenously dispersed TiO₂/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composite microspheres were produced in the size range of 1-10µm and the interfacial characteristics of TiO₂ and PMMA in suspension polymerization were considered. In electron microscopy observation, it was found that TiO₂ nanoparticles were embedded homogeneously in the PMMA phase. This study elucidates that the interfacial compatibility between TiO₂ and PMMA played a decisive role in producing the composite microspheres structured with inner TiO₂ and continuous PMMA, which was achieved by treating the surface of the TiO₂ particles hydrophobically. The TiO₂/PMMA composite microspheres produced showed good ability to protect against UV rays and are therefore of great usefulness in cosmetic formulations.     

Synthesis of nano-ZnO/poly(methyl methacrylate) composite microsphere through emulsion polymerization and its UV-shielding property

Nano-ZnO/poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) composite latex microspheres were synthesized by in-site emulsion polymerization. The interfacial compatibility between nano-ZnO particles and PMMA were improved by treating the surface of nano-ZnO particles hydrophobically using methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS). TEM indicated that nano-ZnO particles present in nanosphere and have been encapsulated in the PMMA phase. FT-IR confirmed that MPTMS reacted with the nano-ZnO particle and copolymerized with MMA. It was clearly found from SEM that ZnO nanoparticles can be homogeneously dispersed in the PVC matrix. The absorbance spectrum of the nanocomposite polymer suggested that increasing the amount of nano-ZnO in composite particles could enhance the UV-shielding properties of the polymers. The nano-ZnO/PMMA composite particle could eliminate aggregation of ZnO nanoparticle and improve its compatibility with organic polymer. This means that the composite particles can be widely applied in lots of fields.     

Preparation, characterization, and infrared emissivity property of optically active polyurethane/TiO2/SiO2 multilayered microspheres

Optically active polyurethane/titania/silica (LPU/TiO₂/SiO₂) multilayered core–shell composite microspheres were prepared by the combination of titania deposition on the surface of silica spheres and subsequent polymer grafting. LPU/TiO₂/SiO₂ was characterized by FT-IR, UV–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), SEM and TEM, and the infrared emissivity value (8–14 μm) was investigated in addition. The results indicated that titania and polyurethane had been successfully coated onto the surfaces of silica microspheres. LPU/TiO₂/SiO₂ exhibited clearly multilayered core–shell construction. The infrared emissivity values reduced along with the increase of covering layers thus proved that the interfacial interactions had direct influence on the infrared emissivity. Besides, LPU/TiO₂/SiO₂ multilayered microspheres based on the optically active polyurethane took advantages of the orderly secondary structure and strengthened interfacial synergistic actions. Consequently, it possessed the lowest infrared emissivity value.     

Effect of polyaniline as a surface modifier of TiO2 nanoparticles on the properties of polyvinyl chloride/TiO2 nanocomposites

Surface of TiO2 nanoparticles was modified with the in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline. Polyaniline modified TiO2 nanoparticles (PANI-TiO2 ) were characterized with the FT-IR, XRD, SEM and TEM techniques. Results confirmed that PANI was grafted successfully on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles, therefore agglomeration of nanoparticles decreased dramatically. Polyvinyl chloride nanocomposites filled with 1 wt% 5 wt% of PANI-TiO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared via the solution blending method. PVC nanocomposites were analyzed with FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TG/DTA, DSC and tensile test techniques. Effect of PANI as surface modifier of nanoparticles was discussed according to the final properties of PVC nanocomposites. Results demonstrated that deposition of PANI on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles improved the interfacial adhesion between the constituents of nanocomposites, which resulted in better dispersion of nanoparticles in the PVC matrix. Also PVC/PANI-TiO2 nanocomposites showed higher thermal resistance, tensile strength and Young’s modulus compared to those of unfilled PVC and PVC/TiO2 nanocomposites.     

纳米SiO_2粒子锚固偶氮引发剂及接枝聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯

对纳米SiO2 粒子锚固偶氮引发剂 ,进而引发甲基丙烯酸甲酯聚合而制备聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA) 纳米SiO2 复合粒子进行了研究 .纳米SiO2 先用环氧型硅烷偶联剂处理 ,再与偶氮二氰基戊酸发生缩合反应而锚固上偶氮引发剂 ,通过差示扫描量热和元素分析证明了引发剂在纳米SiO2 表面的锚固 .通过改性纳米SiO2 存在下MMA的乳液聚合 ,制备得到了接枝率为 2 3 2 %、接枝效率为 36 1%的PMMA 纳米SiO2 复合粒子 .经乳液聚合后 ,纳米SiO2 粒子团聚程度减小 ,在水相中分散稳定 .