Composition-Orientation Induced Mechanical Synergy in Nanoparticle Brushes with Grafted Gradient Copolymers.

ABSTRACT: Gradient poly(methyl methacrylate/n-butyl acrylate) copolymers, P(MMA/BA), with various compositional ratios, were grafted from surface-modified silica nanoparticles (SiO₂-g-PMMA-grad-PBA) via complete conversion surface-initiated activator regenerated by electron transfer (SI-ARGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Miniemulsion as the reaction medium effectively confined the interparticle brush coupling within micellar compartments, preventing macroscopic gelation and enabling complete conversion. Isolation of dispersed and gelled fractions revealed dispersed particle brushes to feature a higher Young's modulus, toughness, and ultimate strain compared with those of the "gel" counterparts. Upon purification, brush nanoparticles from the dispersed

SUBMITTER: Yin R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10720466 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature