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Synthesis of Novel Polymer–Silica Colloidal Nanocomposites via Free‐Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers
Author(s) -
Barthet Christelle,
Hickey Andrew J.,
Cairns Dean B.,
Armes Steven P.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1521-4095(199903)11:5<408::aid-adma408>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - materials science , nanocomposite , polymer , monomer , copolymer , colloid , chemical engineering , polymerization , abrasion (mechanical) , colloidal silica , polymer nanocomposite , polymer chemistry , nanotechnology , composite material , coating , engineering
Polymer nanocomposites can exhibit unusual properties , and potential applications include catalyst supports and abrasion‐resistant coatings. The copolymerization of 4‐vinylpyridine in the presence of ultrafine silica sol is reported here to give rise to stable colloidal dispersions of polymer–silica nanocomposites which display a distinctive “currant bun” morphology (see Figure) in contrast to previously reported “raspberry” morphologies.