GRAFTING OF POLYSTYRENE ONTO A NANOMETER SILICA SURFACE BY MICROEMULSION POLYMERIZATION

The grafting of polystyrene onto a nanometer silica surface by microemulsion polymerization is described. Silicawas functionalized with 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane coupling agent before polymerization. A mixture of ionic andnon-ionic surfactants as well as water-soluble and oil-soluble initiators were used. The effect of the amount of silica and ionicsurfactant on the graft polymerization was studied. The graft polymerization procedure for styrene was also applied to methylmethacrylate. Composite particles with a core-shell structure were obtained and the yield and grafting efficiency of monomerwere high.     

功能化荧光素掺杂二氧化硅纳米粒子用于免疫层析试验

A simple but effective approach was developed to synthesize amino functionalized fluorescein isothiocyanate-doped silica nanoparticles based upon polycondensation of tetraethoxysilane. Organic dye molecule (fluorescein isothiocyanate) coupled with a silane coupling agent, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, was incorporated into silica sphere through controlled hydrolysis and polymerization of tetraethoxysilane. The dye was connected with silica sphere through 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, which avoided the leakage of the dye. The cohydrolysis and polymerization of tetraethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane outside the surface of the silica sphere formed another thin silica shell with the functionalized amino groups on the surface. With amino groups on the surface, the nanoparticle surface was affluent in positive charges. The amino-functionalized nanoparticles were linked with mouse monoclonal antibody against hepatitis B virus surface antigen through electrostatic interaction to form fluorescence probes, which were tested by immunochromatographic assay using immunochromatography test strip. It was indicated that the fluorescence probe was suitable for immunoassay.     

Polymer-clay nanocomposites: chemical grafting of polystyrene onto Cloisite 20A

An account of the experiments on preparing polystyrene(PS) nanocomposites through grafting the polymer onto organophilic montmorillonite is reported.Cloisite 20A was reacted with vinyltrichlorosilane to replace the edge hydroxyl groups of the clay with a vinyl moiety.Because the reaction may liberate HC1,it was performed in the presence of sodium hydrogencarbonate to prevent the exchange of quaternary alkylammonium cations with H~+ ions.Only the silanol groups on the edge of the clay react with vinyltrichlorosilane.The radical polymerization of the product with styrene as a vinyl monomer leads to chemical grafting of PS onto the montmorillonite surface.The homopolymer formed during polymerization was separated from the grafted organoclay by Soxhlet extraction.Chemical grafting of the polymer onto Cloisite 20A was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy.The prepared nanocomposite materials and the grafted nano-particles were studied by XRD.Exfoliated nanocomposites may be obtained for 0.5 wt%-l wt%clay content.The nanocomposites were studied by thermogravimertic analysis(TGA) dynamic thermal analysis(DTA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMTA).     

Suspension Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Stabilized Solely by Palygorskite Nano Fibers简

A kind of fibrous clay, palygorskite(PAL), was used as the sole stabilizer in suspension polymerization without the using of any other stabilizer usually used, especially polymeric stabilizers. In order to improve the compatibility with the organic monomer, PAL nano fibers were organically modified with silane coupling agent methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane(MPS). Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy results show that the hydrolyzed MPS was attached onto PAL surface through Si―O―Si bonds formation without morphology change of PAL. At a loading amount of PAL to monomer as low as 0.36 wt%, effective stabilization could be achieved. After suspension polymerization, spherical poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) particles were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) analysis on both the outer surface and the inner cracked surface of the spherical PMMA particles indicates that the PAL particles reside on the surface of the PMMA spheres. The densely stacked PAL together with attached silane coupling agent stabilized the droplets throughout the suspension polymerization.     

Preparation and evaluation of Fe3O4-core@Ag-shell nanoeggs for the development of fingerprints

The surface of individual, relatively dispersed Fe3O4 nanospheres is coated with a thiol-terminated silane, then the thiol on the Fe3O4 particles’ surfaces treats with nano-Ag colloidal solution to form Ag-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Eventually, a solid shell of Ag is capped onto the Ag-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles by reducing aliquots of AgNO3 solution using NaBH4 as a reducing agent. The as-prepared Fe3O4 -core@Ag-shell nanoeggs, which are uniform in size, highly monodisperse, stable against aggregation and have high magnetization, were depended on thin shell of the attached nano-Ag, the size of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, the volume of thiol-terminated silane as well as the ultrasonication. The Fe3O4 -core@Ag-shell nanoeggs are proposed to detect fingermarks on different surface, with which the fingermarks can be viewed directly, due to the clear ridge detail.     

GRAFT POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLAMIDE ONTO HOMOPOLYMER OF 5-METHYL-5-HEXEN-2, 4-DIONE INITIATED BY CERIC ION

The homopolymerization of 5-methyl-5-hexen-2, 4-dione (methacryloylacetone, MAA),a vinyl monomer having β-diketone group, was carried out in the presence of benzophe-none (BP)/N N-dimenthyl-4-toluidine (DMT) system. Graft polymerization of acrylamideinitiated by ceric ion onto the homopolymer film was investigated and the mechanism ofthe grafting reaction was proposed on the basis of ESR study. The grafted copolymer wascharacterized by means of grafting percentage, water absorption, XPS spectra and scanningelectron photomicrographs.     

Dispersion stability and rheological behavior of suspensions of polystyrene coated fumed silica particles in polystyrene solutions

Polystyrene coated silica（SiO₂@PS） core-shell composite particles with averaged diameter of about 290 nm were prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization of styrene on the surface ofγ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane grafted SiO₂ nanoparticles of 20-50 nm in diameter.Rheological behavior and dispersion stability of SiO₂@PS suspension in 10 wt%PS solution were compared with suspensions of untreated SiO₂ and silane modified SiO₂ nanoparticles.Suspensions of the untreated and the silane modified SiO₂ exhibited obvious shear thinning.The SiO-2@PS suspension exhibits shear viscosity considerably smaller than suspensions of untreated and silane modified SiO₂ at low shear rates.Transmission electron microscopy showed that the composite particles can uniformly and stably disperse in PS solution compared to other suspensions,implying that the PS shell can effectively enhance the particle compatibility with PS macromolecules in solution.     

Enzymatic surface modification of Kevlar fibers

Horseradish peroxidase catalyzed grafting of acrylamide (AM) onto Kevlar fibers has been studied. The modified fiber has been characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis and the grafting yield. From the SEM micrographs, the surface of the grafted Kevlar fiber is rougher than that of the untreated fiber, and the elemental analysis indicated that the nitrogen content of the treated fibers is higher than that of the untreated fiber. All the results suggested that AM must have been grafted onto the Kevlar surface through HRP-mediated radical initiated grafting reaction. The probably mechanism of HRP catalyzed grafting of AM onto Kevlar surface is proposed.     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF STRUCTURALLY WELL-DEFINED POLYMER-INORGANIC HYBRID NANOPARTICLES VIA ATRP*

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using cuprous chloride/2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) was applied to graftpolymerization of styrene on the surface of silica nanoparticles to synthesize polymer-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles. 2-(4-Chloromethylphenyl) ethyltriethoxysilane (CTES) was immobilized on the surface of silica nanoparticles throughcondensation reaction of the silanol groups on silica with triethoxysilane group of CTES. Then ATRP of St was initiated bythis surface-modified silica nanoparticles bearing benzyl chloride groups, and formed PSt graft chains on the surface of silicananoparticles. The thickness of the graft chains increased with reaction time. End group analysis confirmed the occurrence ofATRP. Thermal analysis indicated that thermal stabilization of these resulting hybrid nanoparticles also increases withpolymerization conversion. The results above show that this "grafting from" reaction could be used for the preparation ofpolymer-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles with controlled structure of the polymer's end groups.     

Investigation of Electrochemical Charging Behaviors of“Naked” Gold Nanoparticles Ensembles in Aqueous Media

Gold nanoparticles were imnoobilized onto the electrode surface by simple self-assembly technique.Interestingly,the ensembles of these nanoparticles exhibit quantized charging behaviors in aqueous solution.Possible mechanism for such behaviors was proposed.     

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.     

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.     

Monomer Protonation‐Dependent Surface Polymerization to Achieve One‐Step Grafting Cross‐Linked Poly(4‐Vinylpyridine) Onto Core–Shell Fe3O4@SiO2 Nanoparticles

Functional polymer‐grafting silica nanoparticles hold great promise in diverse applications such as molecule recognition, drug delivery, and heterogeneous catalysis due to high density and uniform distribution of functional groups and their tunable spatial distance. However, conventional grafting methods from monomers mainly consist of one or more extra surface modification steps and a subsequent surface polymerization step. A monomer protonation‐dependent surface polymerization strategy is proposed to achieve one‐step uniform surface grafting of cross‐linked poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) onto core–shell Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanostructures. At an approximate pH, partially protonated 4VP sites in aqueous solution can be strongly adsorbed onto deprotonated silanol groups ( Si O⁻) onto Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanospheres to ensure prior polymerization of these protonated 4VP sites exclusively onto Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles and subsequent polymerization of other 4VP and divinylbenzene monomers harvested by these protonated 4VP monomers onto Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles, thereby achieving direct grafting of cross‐linked P4VP macromolecules onto Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles.     

Surface modification and functionalization through the self-assembled monolayer and graft polymerization

The modification of a surface at the molecular level with precise control of the building blocks generates an integrated molecular system. This field has progressed rapidly in recent years through the use of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) interfaces. Recent developments on surface-initiated chemical reactions, functionalization, and graft polymerization on SAM interfaces are emphasized in the present review. A number of surface modifications by grafting are reviewed. The grafting of polyaniline on a glass surface, previously modified with a silane self-assembled monolayer (SAM), is examined in detail for both planar and 3-D systems, such as fibers, nanoparticles, and even polymer patterned surfaces. We also discuss the graft polymerization of water-soluble polymers on the surface of silicon nanoparticles, which generate stable aqueous colloidal solutions and have numerous applications. Finally, we compare and review some surface-modification techniques on the surfaces of polymers, such as two-solvent entrapment, polymer blending, and chemical grafting, which improve their biocompatibility.     

Recent advances in the preparation of hybrid nanoparticles in miniemulsions

In this review, we summarize recent advances in the synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles in miniemulsions since 2009. These hybrid nanoparticles include organic–inorganic, polymeric, and natural macromolecule/synthetic polymer hybrid nanoparticles. They may be prepared through encapsulation of inorganic components or natural macromolecules by miniemulsion (co)polymerization, simultaneous polymerization of vinyl monomers and vinyl-containing inorganic precursors, precipitation of preformed polymers in the presence of inorganic constituents through solvent displacement techniques, and grafting polymerization onto, from or through natural macromolecules. Characterization, properties, and applications of hybrid nanoparticles are also discussed.     

Synthesis of Poly (methyl methacrylate)/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite with Core-Shell Morphology by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

A method to prepare zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with a covalently bonded poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) shell by surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was reported. First, the initiator for ATRP was covalently bonded onto the surface of zinc oxide nanoparticles through our novel method. Firstly, the surface of ZnO nanoparticle was treated with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane, a silane coupling agent, and then this functionalization nanoparticle was reacted with α-chloro phenyl acetyl chloride to prepare atom transfer radical polymerization macroinitiator. The metal-catalyzed radical polymerization of MMA with ZnOmacroinitiator was performed using a copper catalyst system to give the ZnO-based nanoparticles hybrids linking PMMA segments (poly (methyl methacrylate)/zinc oxide nanocomposite). These hybrid nanoparticles had an exceptionally good dispersability in organic solvents and were subjected to detailed characterization using FTIR, TEM and TGA and DSC analyzed.     

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.     

Fe3O4表面原位引发可控/“活性”聚合制备磁性聚苯乙烯纳米粒子

采用化学共沉淀方法合成了Fe3O4纳米粒子, 用3-甲基丙烯酰氧基丙基三甲氧基硅烷(3-MPS)对其进行表面接枝修饰, 然后以苯乙烯(St)为单体, 过氧化苯甲酰(BPO)为引发剂, 4-羟基-2,2,6,6-四甲基哌啶-1-氧化物自由基(HTEMPO·)为稳定自由基介质, 采用可控/“活性”自由基聚合技术在修饰后的Fe3O4纳米粒子表面原位引发聚合, 制备了粒径小、分布窄、磁含量高的磁性聚苯乙烯（PS）纳米粒子. X射线衍射(XRD)研究表明, 所合成的Fe3O4粒子为尖晶石结构. 凝胶渗透色谱(GPC)分析表明, 聚苯乙烯的分子量与反应时间呈较好的线性关系. 透射电镜(TEM)观察表明, 所制备的磁性聚苯乙烯纳米粒子的粒径在20-30 nm之间. 热重(TG)分析得到磁性聚苯乙烯纳米粒子的磁含量为62.6%. 振动样品磁强计(VSM)测试结果表明, 磁性聚苯乙烯纳米粒子的比饱和磁化强度为31.7 emu·g-1, 呈现单磁畴结构.     

Anchoring of polyacrylate onto silica and formation of polyacrylate/silica nanocomposite particles via in situ emulsion polymerization

Polyacrylate/silica nanocomposite latex particles were prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization of acrylate monomers initiated by 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AIBA) adsorbed by silica nanoparticles. The anchoring of polyacrylate (ACR) onto silica nanoparticles was achieved through the physical absorption and chemical grafting reaction. The elution and HF etching experiments showed that most silica nanoparticles were encapsulated by ACR to form the raspberry-like ACR/silica nanocomposite latex particles. The silica nanoparticles with a greater grafting degree of ACR tended to locate in the bulk of the polymer, and the silica particle with a lower grafting degree would not be combined with polymer latex particles and always remained in water phase. The formation of the final ACR/silica nanocomposite latex particles included the anchoring of ACR onto silica primary particles, aggregation of silica primary particles to form the silica-containing latex particles, and the growth of latex particles.     

UV‐cured polyester‐acrylate nanocomposite films with silane‐grafted silica nanoparticles

UV‐curing technique was employed in this study to prepare polyester‐acrylate nanocomposite films with silane‐grafted silica nanoparticles. Methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane was grafted to the surfaces of silica nanoparticles to improve dispersion of silica nanoparticles as well as interfacial adhesion between the resin matrix and silica nanoparticles. The silane‐grafting was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. The effects of the silane‐grafting on the mechanical and optical properties as well as UV‐curing behavior of the nanocomposite films were investigated. The tensile strength, transmittance, UV‐curing rate, and final chemical conversion of the nanocomposite films were increased by use of the grafted silica nanoparticles as compared to the use of neat silica nanoparticles. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.