Synthesis of Poly(methyl Methacrylate)-Silica Hybrid Materials through Activators Generated by Electron Transfer

Activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) on silica nanoparticles were conducted to create controllable shell on silica surfaces. SiO2–Br, the macroinitiator, was prepared by the reaction of amido groups previously indroduced on silica with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide, followed by the ATRP of MMA using CuBras the catalyst and ascorbic acid (VC) as the reducing agent in the presence of a limited amount of air. The resulting particles were examined by SEM and TEM. The results indicated that the particles were composed of a silica core and a densely grafted outer poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) layer.