Synthesis of polymer–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles via radical polymerization initiated by surface-immobilized photoiniferter

Polymer–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles were prepared through radical photo-polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by N,N-diethyldithiocarbamyl surface functionalized silica nanoparticles under UV irradiation at ambient temperature. IR analysis and UV spectroscopy confirmed the occurrence of Et2NCS2—end groups on the resulting poly(methyl methacrylate), and the morphology of these hybrid nanoparticles was observed directly by means of tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry