Nanocomposites by surface-initiated living cationic polymerization of 2-oxazolines on functionalized gold nanoparticles

Rainer Jordan, Nuki West, Abraham Ulman, Yen Ming Chou, Oskar Nuyken

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

End-functionalized 3D self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold nanoparticles were used to initiate the living cationic ring-opening polymerization reaction directly on gold nanoparticle surfaces ("grafting-from technique"). In this manner, dense polymer brushes Were prepared in a "one-pot multistep" reaction. ER FTIR spectroscopy confirms the successful polymerization reaction as well as the introduction of a terminal functional group. The resulting gold/polymer nanocomposite was very stable. The combination of a "grafting-from reaction" resulting in polymer "brush-type" shells of linear macromolecules and the introduction of a terminal mesogen by means of a quantitative termination reaction resulted in an amphiphilic core-shell material with a well-defined hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB). Ex-situ kinetic studies of the polymerization of 2-phenyl-2-oxazoline using FTIR spectroscopy and MALDI TOF mass spectrometry resulted in a linear relationship between the reaction time and degree of polymerization of the grafted polymer. This as well as the successful end-functionalization by termination with secondary amines corroborates our view of a well-defined living polymerization mechanism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1606-1611
Number of pages6
JournalMacromolecules
Volume34
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 13 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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