The preparation of polymer-silica hybrid nanoparticles of various morphologies is reported. As a first step, polymer nanoparticles were synthesized using an alkoxysilane-functional methacrylic macroRAFT agent. Two different alkoxysilane-containing monomers, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate and 3-(triisopropoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate, were used to prepare the solvophilic block for the subsequent polymerization-induced self assembly (PISA) of benzyl methacrylate in ethanol. Various particle morphologies, such as vesicles, spheres and rods could be formed. The primary factor governing nanoparticle shape was the nature of the macroRAFT agent, with the bulkier triisopropoxysilyl group yielding spherical structures; the smaller trimethoxysilyl group allowed for morphological transitions to occur as the length of the solvophobic block was increased. In many cases, the resultant nanoparticle dispersion was highly monodisperse. The influence of RAFT agent type was also studied. The presence of reactive alkoxysilane groups at the particle surface enabled a silica shell to be grown from the surface via condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) in a controlled fashion, resulting in the simple preparation of hybrid nanoparticles.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	polymerization induced self assembly, PISA, nanoparticles, silica
Research Division:	Chemical Sciences
Research Group:	Macromolecular and materials chemistry
Research Field:	Polymerisation mechanisms
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the chemical sciences
UTAS Author:	Teo, GH (Mr Guo Teo)
UTAS Author:	Thickett, SC (Dr Stuart Thickett)
ID Code:	112307
Year Published:	2016
Web of Science® Times Cited:	17
Deposited By:	Chemistry
Deposited On:	2016-11-03
Last Modified:	2017-10-24
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