Synthesis of P(MMA-co-MAA)/TiO2 Nanocomposites via Surface Thiol-Lactam Initiated Radical Polymerization

Abstract

Poly(methylmethacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) were covalently wrapped onto TiO2 nanoparticles through surface thiol-lactam initiated radical polymerization via grafting from approach. Initially, the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles was modified by (3-mercapto)propyl trimethoxysilane to get thiol functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-SH). A radical polymerization of methylmethacrylate and methacrylic acid was subsequently conducted to afford chemically bonded copolymer with TiO2 nanoparticles by employing two component initiating system consisting of TiO2-SH and butyrolactam. The TiO2 nanocomposites were identified by taking advantage of FT-IR, XPS, and EDX. The physical structure of the nanocomposites was studied by using XRD. The morphology of the nanocomposites was investigated by TEM and SEM analyses. TGA scan showed that the inclusion of TiO2 nanoparticles improved the thermal stability of the copolymer to a certain extent. Additionally, dynamic laser light scattering measurement of the TiO2 nanocomposites was carried out in order to get the size distribution of nanocomposites.