ResearchArticle A Simple Method for Forming Hybrid Core-Shell Nanoparticles Suspended in Water

Correspondence should be addressed to Jerome P. Claverie, claverie.jerome@uqam.caReceived 21 March 2008; Accepted 9 July 2008Recommended by Claude EstournesCore-shell hybrid nanoparticles, where the core is an inorganic nanoparticle and the shell an organic polymer, are prepared bya two-step method. Inorganic nanoparticles are first dispersed in water using poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) prepared by reversibleaddition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization as dispersant. Then, the resulting dispersion is engaged in a radicalemulsion polymerization process whereby a hydrophobic organic monomer (styrene and butyl acrylate) is polymerized to formthe shell of the hybrid nanoparticle. This method is extremely versatile, allowing the preparation of a variety of nanocompositeswith metal oxides (alumina, rutile, anatase, barium titanate, zirconia, copper oxide), metals (Mo, Zn), and even inorganic nitrides(Si