Surfactant-Free Synthesis of Cyclomatrix and Linear Organosilica Phosphazene-Based Hybrid Nanoparticles

Abstract

Novel halogen-free organosilica phosphazene-based hybrid nanoparticles (SiPPz NPs) were prepared by base-triggered sol–gel hydrolysis–condensation of two precursors based on a cyclomatrix and a linear silane-derived polyphosphazenes, synthesized via thiol-ene addition. Spherical and compact particles were obtained (<400 nm), whereby the linear polymeric precursor was demonstrated to give more homogeneous-size-distributed NPs, in comparison to the phosphazene-based cyclomatrix. Our novel approach could form the basis of a new genre of nanoplatforms and act as a springboard for the further preparation of tailored materials for different areas of technology where phosphorus-containing materials are useful, such as biomedical applications or flame retardants.