End-Grafted Polymer Chains onto Inorganic Nano-Objects

• Main Authors: Demetra S. Achilleos, Maria Vamvakaki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2010-03-01
• Series: Materials
• Subjects: nanohybrids; core-shell nanoparticles; end-grafted polymers
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/3/3/1981/

Organic/inorganic nanohybrid materials have attracted particular scientific and technological interest because they combine the properties of the organic and the inorganic component. Inorganic nanoparticles exhibit interesting electrical, optical, magnetic and/or catalytic properties, which are related with their nano-scale dimensions. However, their high surface-to-volume ratio often induces agglomeration and leads to the loss of their attractive properties. Surface modification of the inorganic nano-objects with physically or chemically end-tethered polymer chains has been employed to overcome this problem. Covalent tethered polymer chains are realized by three different approaches: the “grafting to”, the “grafting from” and the “grafting through” method. This article reviews the synthesis of end-grafted polymer chains onto inorganic nanoparticles using “controlled/living” polymerization techniques, which allow control over the polymer characteristics and the grafting density of the end-tethered polymer chains.