Organically capped silicon nanoparticles with blue photoluminescence prepared by hydrosilylation followed by oxidation

A facile method of preparing stable blue-emitting silicon nanoparticles that are dispersible in common organic solvents is presented. Oxidation of yellow-emitting silicon nanoparticles with an organic monolayer grafted to their surface, using either UV irradiation in solution or heating in air, converted them to blue-emitting particles. The evolution of the PL spectrum and infrared absorption spectrum of the particles was followed during the oxidation process. The PL spectrum showed a decrease in the PL emission peak near 600 nm and the appearance and increase in intensity of a PL emission peak near 460 nm rather than a smooth blue shift of the emission spectrum from yellow to blue. The organic monolayer grafted to the particle surface was not degraded by this oxidation process, as demonstrated by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Similar results were achieved for particles with styrene, 1-octene, 1-dodecene, and 1-octadecene grafted to their surface, demonstrating that it is the silicon nanocrystal, and not the organic component, that is essential to this process. The organic monolayer allows the nanoparticles to form stable, clear colloidal dispersions in organic solvents and provides for the possibility of further chemical functionalization of the particles. Combined with previous work on organically grafted silicon nanoparticles with green through near-infrared emission, this enables the efficient and scalable preparation of stable colloidal dispersions of organically grafted silicon nanoparticles with emission spanning the entire visible spectrum.     

Effect of bidispersity in grafted chain length on grafted chain conformations and potential of mean force between polymer grafted nanoparticles in a homopolymer matrix

In efforts to produce polymeric materials with tailored physical properties, significant interest has grown around the ability to control the spatial organization of nanoparticles in polymer nanocomposites. One way to achieve controlled particle arrangement is by grafting the nanoparticle surface with polymers that are compatible with the matrix, thus manipulating the interfacial interactions between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix. Previous work has shown that the molecular weight of the grafted polymer, both at high grafting density and low grafting density, plays a key role in dictating the effective inter-particle interactions in a polymer matrix. At high grafting density nanoparticles disperse (aggregate) if the graft molecular weight is higher (lower) than the matrix molecular weight. At low grafting density the longer grafts can better shield the nanoparticle surface from direct particle-particle contacts than the shorter grafts and lead to the dispersion of the grafted particles in the matrix. Despite the importance of graft molecular weight, and evidence of non-trivial effects of polydispersity of chains grafted on flat surfaces, most theoretical work on polymer grafted nanoparticles has only focused on monodisperse grafted chains. In this paper, we focus on how bidispersity in grafted chain lengths affects the grafted chain conformations and inter-particle interactions in an implicit solvent and in a dense homopolymer polymer matrix. We first present the effects of bidispersity on grafted chain conformations in a single polymer grafted particle using purely Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. This is followed by calculations of the potential of mean force (PMF) between two grafted particles in a polymer matrix using a self-consistent Polymer Reference Interaction Site Model theory-Monte Carlo simulation approach. Monte Carlo simulations of a single polymer grafted particle in an implicit solvent show that in the bidisperse polymer grafted particles with an equal number of short and long grafts at low to medium grafting density, the short grafts are in a more coiled up conformation (lower radius of gyration) than their monodisperse counterparts to provide a larger free volume to the longer grafts so they can gain conformational entropy. The longer grafts do not show much difference in conformation from their monodisperse counterparts at low grafting density, but at medium grafting density the longer grafts exhibit less stretched conformations (lower radius of gyration) as compared to their monodisperse counterparts. In the presence of an explicit homopolymer matrix, the longer grafts are more compressed by the matrix homopolymer chains than the short grafts. We observe that the potential of mean force between bidisperse grafted particles has features of the PMF of monodisperse grafted particles with short grafts and monodisperse grafted particles with long grafts. The value of the PMF at contact is governed by the short grafts and values at large inter-particle distances are governed by the longer grafts. Further comparison of the PMF for bidisperse and monodisperse polymer grafted particles in a homopolymer matrix at varying parameters shows that the effects of matrix chain length, matrix packing fraction, grafting density, and particle curvature on the PMF between bidisperse polymer grafted particles are similar to those seen between monodisperse polymer grafted particles.     

Synthesis and decoloration capacity of well-defined and PMMA-grafted palygorskite nanocomposites

Structurally well-defined PMMA-grafted palygorskite nanoparticles were prepared by modifying the surface of palygorskite nanoparticles with initiators for reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (reverse ATRP) and by using these initiator-modified nanoparticles as macroinitiators. Reverse ATRP from palygorskite nanoparticles was then performed to attach well-defined polymer on to an inorganic core. It has been found that the dispersibility of palygorskite particles in organic solvents is significantly improved by grafting polymers onto the surface of palygorskite particles. The polymer-grafted palygorskite nanoparticles possess excellent decoloration capacity in organic solvents.     

Using colloid lithography to fabricate silicon nanopillar arrays on silicon substrates

In this study, we partially grafted geminal silanol groups in the protecting organic shells on the surfaces of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and then assembled the alkyl-AuNP-Si(OH)(4) particles onto the surfaces of silicon (Si) wafers. The density of assembled AuNPs on the Si surface was adjusted by varying the geminal silanol group content on the AuNP surface; at its optimal content, it approached the high assembly density (0.0254 particles/nm(2)) of an AuNP assembled monolayer. Using reactive-ion etching (RIE) with the templates as masks, we transferred the patterned AuNP assemblies to form large-area, size-tunable, Si nanopillar arrays, the assembly density of which was controlled by the dimensions of the AuNPs. Using this colloidal lithography (CL) process, we could generate Si nanopillars having sub-10-nm diameters and high aspect ratios. The water contact angles of the high-aspect-ratio Si nanopillars approached 150°. We used another fabrication process, involving electron beam lithography and oxygen plasma treatment, to generate hydrophilic 200-nm-resolution line patterns on a Si surface to assemble the AuNPs into 200-nm-resolution dense lines for use as an etching mask. Subsequent CL provided a patterned Si nanopillar array having a feature size of 200 nm on the Si surface. Using this approach, it was possible to pattern sub-10-nm Si nanopillar arrays having densities as high as 0.0232 nm(-2).     

Encapsulation of silica nanoparticles by redox-initiated graft polymerization from the surface of silica nanoparticles

This study describes a facile and versatile method for preparing polymer-encapsulated silica particles by ‘grafting from’ polymerization initiated by a redox system comprising ceric ion (Ce⁴⁺) as an oxidant and an organic reductant immobilized on the surface of silica nanoparticles. The silica nanoparticles were firstly modified by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, then reacted with poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate through the Michael addition reaction, so that hydroxyl-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were covalently attached onto the nanoparticle surface and worked as the reductant. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a common hydrophobic polymer, and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), a thermosensitive polymer, were successfully grafted onto the surface of silica nanoparticles by ‘grafting from’ polymerization initiated by the redox reaction of Ce⁴⁺ with PEG on the silica surface in acid aqueous solutions. The polymer-encapsulated silica nanoparticles (referred to as silica@PMMA and silica@PNIPAAm, respectively) were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. On the contrary, graft polymerization did not occur on bare silica nanoparticles. In addition, during polymerization, sediments were observed for PMMA and for PNIPAAm at a polymerization temperature above its low critical solution temperature (LCST). But the silica@PNIPAAm particles obtained at a polymerization temperature below the LCST can suspend stably in water throughout the polymerization process.     

Graft polymerization of vinyl monomers onto nanosized alumina particles

To enhance the interfacial interaction in alumina nanoparticles filled polymer composites, an effective surface modification method was developed by grafting polystyrene and polyacrylamide onto the particles. That is, the alumina surface was firstly treated with silane, followed by radical grafting polymerization in aqueous or non-aqueous systems. Results of infrared spectroscopy and dispersiveness in solvents demonstrated that the desired polymer chains have been covalently bonded to the surface of the alumina particles. They also greatly changed their surface characteristics. In addition, effects of polymerization conditions, including ways of monomer feeding, concentrations of monomer and initiator, and reaction time, on the grafting reaction were presented. It was found that the growing polymer radicals and/or the grafted polymer chains had a blocking effect on the diffusion of radicals or monomers towards the surface of nanoalumina. This was due to the fact that the interaction between the solvent and the grafted polymers was weaker than that between the grafted polymers and the nanoparticles.     

Amphiphilic Janus Gold Nanoparticles Prepared by Interface‐Directed Self‐Assembly: Synthesis and Self‐Assembly

Materials with Janus structures are attractive for wide applications in materials science. Although extensive efforts in the synthesis of Janus particles have been reported, the synthesis of sub‐10 nm Janus nanoparticles is still challenging. Herein, the synthesis of Janus gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) based on interface‐directed self‐assembly is reported. Polystyrene (PS) colloidal particles with AuNPs on the surface were prepared by interface‐directed self‐assembly, and the colloidal particles were used as templates for the synthesis of Janus AuNPs. To prepare colloidal particles, thiol‐terminated polystyrene (PS‐SH) was dissolved in toluene and citrate‐stabilized AuNPs were dispersed in aqueous solution. Upon mixing the two solutions, PS‐SH chains were grafted to the surface of AuNPs and amphiphilic AuNPs were formed at the liquid–liquid interface. PS colloidal particles decorated with AuNPs on the surfaces were prepared by adding the emulsion to excess methanol. On the surface, AuNPs were partially embedded in the colloidal particles. The outer regions of the AuNPs were exposed to the solution and were functionalized through the grafting of atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator. Poly[2‐(dimethamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) on AuNPs were prepared by surface‐initiated ATRP. After centrifugation and dissolving the colloidal particles in tetrahydrofuran (THF), Janus AuNPs with PS and PDMAEMA on two hemispheres were obtained. In acidic pH, Janus AuNPs are amphiphilic and are able to emulsify oil droplets in water; in basic pH, the Janus AuNPs are hydrophobic. In mixtures of THF/methanol at a volume ratio of 1:5, the Janus AuNPs self‐assemble into bilayer structures with collapsed PS in the interiors and solvated PDMAEMA at the exteriors of the structures.     

Construction of Chiroptical Switch on Silica Nanoparticle Surface via Chiral Self-assembly of Side-chain Azobenzene-containing Polymer

In this contribution, we utilized surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization(SI-ATRP) to prepare organic-inorganic hybrid core/shell silica nanoparticles(NPs), where silica particles acted as cores and polymeric shells(PAzo MA*) were attached to silica particles via covalent bond. Subsequently, chiroptical switch was successfully constructed on silica NPs surface taking advantage of supramolecular chiral selfassembly of the grafted side-chain Azo-containing polymer(PAzo MA*). We foun...     

聚氧化乙烯/接枝SiO2复合物电解质研究

通过将聚氧化乙烯（PEO）分别与表面接枝聚丙烯酸锂和表面接枝二乙二醇甲醚的SiO2微粒共混，制备得PEO／接枝SiO2复合物膜，考察了复合物膜的形态和离子电导性。结果表明：接枝改性增强了SiO2微粒与PEO的相容性，降低了PEO的结晶性，显著提高了复合物膜的室温离子电导率。     

Using light to covalently immobilize and pattern nanoparticles onto surfaces

There is considerable current interest in developing methods to integrate nanoparticles into optical, electronic, and biological systems due to their unique size-dependent properties and controllable shape. We report herein a versatile new approach for covalent immobilization of nanoparticles onto substrates modified with photoactive, phthalimide-functional, self-assembled monolayers. Upon illumination with UV radiation, the phthalimide group abstracts a hydrogen atom from a neighboring organic molecule, leading to radical-based photografting reactions. The approach is potentially "universal" since virtually any polymeric or organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticle can be covalently immobilized in this fashion. Because grafting is confined to illuminated regions that undergo photoexcitation, masking provides a simple and direct method for nanoparticle patterning. To illustrate the technique, nanoparticles formed from diblock copolymers of poly(styrene-b-polyethylene oxide) and laden with Hostasol Red dye are photografted and patterned onto glass and silicon substrates modified with photoactive phthalimide-silane self-assembled monolayers. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are applied to characterize the grafted nanoparticle films while confocal fluorescence microscopy is used to image patterned nanoparticle deposition.     

Synthesis and characterization of polystyrene-grafted magnetite nanoparticles

Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical precipitation. To reduce the aggregation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, an effective surface modification method was proposed by grafting polystyrene onto the Fe₃O₄ particles. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectra and elemental analysis showed that the polymer chains have been successfully grafted from the surface of the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and that the percentage of grafting can reach 73%. Transmission electron microscope showed that grafted polymer chains on nanoparticles could prevent the aggregation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles markedly in toluene and improve their compatibility with organic phase. Another finding was the grafting reaction did not alter the crystalline structure of the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles according to the X-ray diffraction patterns, and the saturation magnetization of PS-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was found to be lower than bulk magnetite.     

Nanosegregated polymeric domains on the surface of Fe3O4@SiO2 particles

Multifunctional, biocompatible, and brush‐grafted poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PEG/PCL) nanoparticles have been synthesized, characterized, and used as vehicles for transporting hydrophobic substances in water. For anchoring the polymer mixed brushes, we used magnetic‐silica particles of 40 nm diameter produced by the reverse microemulsion method. The surface of the silica particle was functionalized with biocompatible polymer brushes, which were synthesized by the combination of “grafting to” and “grafting from” techniques. PEG was immobilized on the particles surface, by “grafting to,” whereas PCL was growth by ROP using the “grafting from” approach. By varying the synthetic conditions, it was possible to control the amount of PCL anchored on the surface of the nanoparticles and consequently the PEG/PCL ratio, which is a vital parameter connected with the arrangement of the polymer brushes as well as the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance of the particles. Thus, adjusting the PEG/PCL ratio, it was possible to obtain a system formed by PEG and PCL chains grafted on the particle's surface that collapsed in segregated domains depending on the solvent used. For instance, the nanoparticles are colloidally stable in water due to the PEG domains and at the same time are able to transport, entrapped within the PCL portion, highly water‐insoluble drugs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2966–2975     

Poly(N‐vinyl imidazole) grafted silica nanofillers: Synthesis by RAFT polymerization and nanocomposites with polybenzimidazole

In this report, we synthesized poly(N‐vinyl imidazole) (PNVI) grafted silica nanoparticles (SiNP) by using RAFT polymerization through grafting‐from approach to demonstrate that the self‐assembled structure of SiNP is the key diving force in improving physical properties of SiNP based nanocomposites. In a multistep synthetic process, well‐defined PNVI chains with tunable molecular weights and surface chain densities were grown from the RAFT agent anchored SiNP surface using N‐vinyl imidazole (NVI) as a monomer. Spectroscopic and thermal analysis confirmed surface grafting of PNVI on SiNP surface and the amount of grafted PNVI chins were also quantified. The mean diameter of the PNVI grafted SiNP (PNVI‐g‐SiNP) particles altered between 50 and 100 nm with the variation of PNVI chain lengths. The present approach is metal‐catalyst free, straight forward, and provides PNVI functionalized SiNP in a simple manner in comparison to the reported methods. Further, these PNVI‐g‐SiNP particles were used as a nanofiller to prepare nanocomposites with Poly(4,4′‐diphenylether‐5,5′‐bibenzimidazole) (OPBI). These nanocomposites displayed significantly higher mechanical, proton conductivity and less acid leaching properties than the pristine OPBI. The anisotropic self‐assembled ordered structure formation of nanofillers in the nanocomposites believed to be the driving force for the enhanced physical properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 365–375     

End‐grafting copolymers of styrene and 4‐vinylpyridine on an interacting solid surface

Copolymers of styrene and 4‐vinylpyridine with a styrene fraction f varying from 1 to 0 were grafted onto a silicon substrate in the melt. The grafting reaction and the stability of the grafted chains were investigated by Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The thickness and surface morphology of the grafted copolymer layers were characterized with ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The copolymer chains were successfully grafted to the surface of the silicon substrate by a reaction between the hydroxyl groups of the nitroxide moiety at the end of the copolymers and the silanol groups on the surface of the silicon wafer. A measurement of the thickness of the grafted copolymer layers showed that the ratio of grafted‐layer thickness to the unperturbed chain radius of gyration decreased with the increasing fraction of 4‐vinylpyridine in the copolymer; this indicated that the grafted layer was strongly attracted to the substrate. In addition, an accelerated grafting process was observed at grafting times ranging from 48 to 72 h for pure poly(4‐vinylpyridine) and copolymers with f values of 0.3 and 0.5. AFM observation revealed that the grafted layers densely and homogeneously covered the silicon substrate. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1332‐1343, 2005     

One step growth of protein antifouling surfaces: monolayers of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) derivatives on oxidized and hydrogen-passivated silicon surfaces

We compare two routes for creating protein adsorption-resistant self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) by chemical modification of silicon surfaces with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) oligomeric derivatives. The first route involves the assembly of 2-methyl[(polyethyleneoxy)propyl]trichlorosilane (Cl3SiMPEO) films onto oxidized silicon surfaces (OH-SiO(x)) either by a liquid-phase process at room temperature or by a gas-phase process at 423 K, producing Si-O-Si bonds between the substrate and the organic layer. The second pathway makes use of the assembly of poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether) (MPEG) films onto hydrogen-passivated silicon surfaces (H-Si) using a liquid-phase process at 353 or 423 K, leading to the formation of Si-O-C bonds between the substrate and the organic layer. Structural investigation by X-ray reflectometry (XRR) reveals that the thickness and surface densities of the grafted PEO monolayers strongly depend on experimental conditions such as temperature and grafting time. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows that very smooth and homogeneous monolayers can be obtained with average roughnesses close to those measured on the corresponding bare substrates. Finally, the antifouling properties of the modified silicon surfaces were evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), using a membrane protein (P.69 antigen) as model protein. Both types of PEO monolayers exhibit excellent protein repellency, as soon as the grafting density is equal to or higher than 1.7 chains/nm2.     

Preparation of Comb‐like Styrene Grafted Silica Nanoparticles

Abstract

Comb‐like polystyrene grafted silica nanoparticles (c‐PS‐SNs) were prepared by the following steps: (a) methacryloxypropyl silica nanoparticles (MPSNs) were used as macromonomer and free radical copolymerized with 4‐vinyl benzyl chloride (VBC) by a solution polymerization method; (b) the product of (A), poly(4‐vinyl benzyl chloride) grafted silica nanoparticle (PVBC‐SN) was separated and then used as a macroinitiator for the surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP) of styrene catalyzed by the complex of Cu(I)Br and 2,2′‐bipyridyl (bipy) in toluene solutions. The structurally well‐defined polymer chains were grown from the nanoparticle surfaces to yield particles composed of a silica core and a well defined, densely grafted outer comb‐like PS layer. A percentage of grafting (PG%) (the weight ratio of the PS grafted with that of the silica charged) of more than 80% was achieved after a polymerizing time of 5?hr.     

Two-dimensional self-organization of polystyrene-capped gold nanoparticles

Thiol end-functionalized polystyrene chains have been introduced onto the surface of gold nanoparticles via a two-step grafting-to method. This simple grafting procedure is demonstrated to be efficient for gold nanoparticles of different sizes and for particles initially dispersed in either aqueous or organic media. The method has been applied successfully for a relatively large range of polystyrene chain lengths. Grafting densities, as determined by thermogravimetric analysis, are found to decrease with increasing chain length. In all cases, the grafting density indicates a dense brush conformation for the tethered chains. The resulting functionalized nanoparticles self-organize into hexagonally ordered monolayers when cast onto solid substrates from chloroform solution. Furthermore, the distance between the gold cores in the dried monolayer is controlled by the molecular weight of the grafted polystyrene. Optical absorption spectra recorded for the organized monolayers show the characteristic plasmon absorption of the gold particles. Importantly, the plasmon resonance frequency exhibits a distinct dependence on interparticle separation that can be attributed to plasmon coupling between neighboring gold cores.     

天然橡胶原位接枝炭黑的分散性研究

采用原位固相接枝方法,使在高温和强剪切作用下降解的天然橡胶接枝到炭黑表面.采用透射电镜(TEM)、原子力显微镜(AFM)等方法观察了接枝前后的炭黑粒子形貌变化,发现未接枝炭黑以微米级的附聚体形式存在,而由于炭黑聚集体被强剪切力部分破坏,接枝炭黑的聚集程度明显减弱,粒子的尺寸减小.采用激光光散射粒度仪对接枝前后炭黑的粒度进行分析,接枝炭黑的体积平均粒径为164 nm,远小于测得的原炭黑的粒径797 nm.采用沉降法、透光率法及zeta电位测量研究了接枝改性对炭黑在溶剂中的分散性及分散稳定性的影响,结果表明,接枝炭黑在接枝分子的溶剂中的分散性变好,分散稳定性提高.     

Preparation of polymer‐grafted carbon black nanoparticles by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Pristine carbon black was oxidized with nitric acid to produce carboxyl group, and then the carboxyl group was consecutively treated with thionyl chloride and glycol to introduce hydroxyl group. The hydroxyl group on the carbon black surface was reacted with 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyl bromide to anchor atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator. The ATRP initiator on carbon black surface was verified by TGA, FTIR, EDS, and elemental analysis. Then, poly (methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene chains were respectively, grown from carbon black surface by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP) using CuCl/2,2‐dipyridyl (bpy) as the catalyst/ligand combination at 110 °C in anisole. ¹H NMR, TGA, TEM, AFM, DSC, and DLS were used to systemically characterize the polymer‐grafted carbon black nanoparticles. Dispersion experiments showed that the grafted carbon black nanoparticles had good solubilities in organic solvents such as THF, chloroform, dichloromethane, DMF, etc. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3451–3459, 2007     

Water dispersible hydroxyapatite nanoparticles functionalized by a family of aminoalkyl phosphates

A series of aminoalkyl phosphates (AAP-n, with carbon number n ranging from 2 to 6) are used as surface modifiers to prepare hydroxyapatite hydrocolloids. The resulting nanoparticles (Cn-HA) possess a coreshell structure where an ionized layer of calcium-(AAP-n) complex [⁺H₃N-(CH₂)_n-OPO₃Ca] encapsulates each hydroxyapatite core. Long-term colloidal stability is achieved due to the electrostatic repulsion among the suspending particles. The incorporation of AAP-n results in a preferential crystal growth along c-axis, showing an increasing aspect ratio of particles from C2-HA to C6-HA. Preliminary cell culture using osteoblast-like MG63 cells shows no cytotoxicity associated with the as-prepared Cn-HA particles. The functional amino groups around the nanoparticles could be used to graft various organic chains to prepare homogeneous HA/polymer composites as bone grafting materials.