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Functionalization of TiO 2 Nanoparticles with Semiconducting Polymers Containing a Photocleavable Anchor Group and Separation via Irradiation Afterward
Author(s) -
Mathias Florian,
Tahir Muhammad Nawaz,
Tremel Wolfgang,
Zentel Rudolf
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201300759
Subject(s) - surface modification , polymer , polystyrene , polymer chemistry , polymerization , nanoparticle , materials science , chemistry , miscibility , end group , radical polymerization , photochemistry , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , nanotechnology , engineering
The controlled radical polymerization (RAFT polymerization) of semiconducting polymers based on poly(4,4′‐dimethyl‐triphenylamine) is described. These polymers are afterward end‐functionalized with a photocleavable group and an anchor unit (catechol) for oxidic nanoparticles (NPs). Serving as a reference, polystyrene oligomers with the same end groups are also synthesized. Using these polymers allows functionalization of the TiO 2 ‐NPs, leading to an improved solubility and miscibility in organic solvents or polymer matrices. Irradiation in the UV region is used to split the photocleavable group and remove the polymer chains from the NPs, which leads to their aggregation.