RAFT Polymerization of N-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl)-propyl]acrylamide and Its Versatile Use in Silica Hybrid Materials.
Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and characterization of an alkoxysilane acrylamide monomer using a trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent are described. Poly(N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]acrylamide) (PTMSPAA) homopolymers are obtained with good control over the polymerization. A linear increase in the molecular weight is observed whereas the polydispersity values do not exceed 1.2 regardless of the monomer conversion. Moreover, PTMSPAA is used as a macro-RAFT agent to polymerize N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM). By varying the degree of polymerization of NIPAM within the block copolymer, different sizes of thermoresponsive particles are obtained. These particles are stabilized by the condensation of the alkoxysilane moieties of the polymers. Furthermore, a co-network of silica and PTMSPAA is prepared using the sol-gel process. After drying, transparent mesoporous hybrids are obtained with a surface area of up to 400 m(2) g(-1).
Department of Materials, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK.
Anthony L B
AL
Maçon
Department of Materials, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK.
Sarah L
SL
Greasley
School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, E1 4NS, London, UK.
C Remzi
CR
Becer
Department of Materials, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, London, UK.
Julian R
JR
Jones
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D000099166:Polyacrylamides
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D000099166:Polyacrylamides
N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]acrylamide; NIPAM; RAFT; hybrids; sol-gels; thermoresponsive nanoparticles