Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate)–silica nanocomposites using methacrylate-functionalized silica nanoparticles and RAFT polymerization

Well-defined poly(methyl methacrylate)–silica nanocomposites were produced by “grafting through” using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The surface of silica nanoparticle was modified covalently by attaching methacryl group to the surface using 3-methacryloxypropyldimethylchlorosilane. Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using the 4-cyano-4-(dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonyl)sulfanyl pentanoic acid RAFT agent, produced the PMMA–SiO2 nanocomposites. Characterization of these well-defined nanocomposites included FT-IR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis. These results show that the Tg values are higher and the mechanical strength of the PMMA–SiO2 nanocomposites is slightly improved when compared to bulk PMMA. Further, the molecular weight of the PMMA (up to Mn = 100,000) is controlled and the SiO2 are well dispersed in the PMMA matrix.