Polymer-grafted nanoparticles characterization

Sl-ATRP has also been used to modify the surface of quantum dots in order to improve the dispersibility and stability of these nanoparticles. Farmer and Patten demonstrated the use of Sl-ATRP to graft PMMA from CdS/Si02 core-shell nanoparticles [201]. A film formed from the resulting grafted nanoparticles exhibited the same luminescence properties as the CdS core, with the inorganic cores uniformly distributed throughout the polymer matrix. Esteves et al. reported grafting of poly(n-butyl acrylate) from CdS quantum dots via miniemulsion ATRP [202]. Characterization of the nanocomposites demonstrated an even dispersion of CdS cores in the polymer matrix. 

The grafting-to method (without involving elaborate synthetic procedures) involves a chemical reaction between (end)-functionalized polymers and complementary reactive groups on the surface of nanoparticles. The reactive polymers can be synthesized by controlled radical, anionic, or other polymerization techniques. Compared with other polymer attachment techniques, the (end)-functionalized polymer can be thoroughly characterized via various chemical and physical methods. However, the major shortcoming of this method is the low maximum thickness of the obtained polymer layers [113]. 

Fei Li, Hong Wu, Fan Li, Hui Zhang, et al. Study of Dual Responsive Dex-MA-graft-PNIPAAm hydrogel nanoparticles preparation, characterization and biological evaluation. Polymer International. Early View. 

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