A New Highly Efficient Route to Polymer‐Silica Colloidal Nanocomposite Particles

Abstract

Colloidal vinyl polymer-silica nanocomposite particles are synthesized with very high silica aggregation efficiencies via aqueous emulsion using a cationic azo initiator in the presence of a glycerol-functionalized ultrafine aqueous silica sol as the sole stabilizing agent (see scheme). The protocol is surfactant-free and requires neither auxiliary comonomer nor nonaqueous co-solvent. The particles are film-forming at ambient temperature, yielding highly transparent films containing up to 39% silica by mass. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2089/2008/adma200800506_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.