title: Synthesis and characterization of TiO2/poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites via surface thiol-lactam initiated radical polymerization.
abstract: An approach to the surface modification of TiO2 nanoparticles was described based on the thiol functionalization of TiO2 followed by thiol-lactam initiated radical polymerization (TLIRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA). FT-IR, XRD and XPS analyses confirmed the grafting of the polymer on the TiO2 surface. TGA analysis revealed superior thermal stability of PMMA-g-TiO2 compared with PMMA. TEM measurements and time-dependent phase monitoring suggested much higher colloidal stability of PMMA-g-TiO2 than TiO2 in toluene. The controlled nature of the TLIRP of MMA from the surface of TiO2 was determined by GPC analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging System Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Long Giang
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: M Rafiqul
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Yeong Soon
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Gal
authors.forename: Kwon Taek
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Lim