Initiator‐Grafted Silica Particles for Controlled Free Radical Polymerization: Influence of the Initiator Structure on the Grafting Density

Abstract

Abstract A series of organic‐inorganic hybrid particles were synthesized by a self‐assembled layer of different initiators, immobilized on silica particles and used for controlled radical polymerization. We use three different initiator systems for atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), unimolecular nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP), and bimolecular NMP, for the development of the hybrid inorganic/organic particles. After preliminary qualitative characterization by X‐ray spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier‐transformed infrared (FT‐IR) measurements, the hybrid nanoparticles were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to determine and discuss the initiator graft density in terms of steric hindrance. The coupling agents employed for the various approaches used here: a) NMP1‐bimolecular system, b) NMP2‐unimolecular system, and c) ATRP. magnified image The coupling agents employed for the various approaches used here: a) NMP1‐bimolecular system, b) NMP2‐unimolecular system, and c) ATRP.