Synthesis of Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate)-based Hybrid Nanoparticles via Visible-Light-Initiated Radical Polymerization

Abstract

We report a new, unique process for the design of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA)-based hybrid materials, which involves the coating of PHEMA on TiO2 and TiO2 /Ag nanoparticle surface under visible light. New hybrid materials initiated under different conditions were prepared under visible light, which could be used for the theoretical design of nanohybrid materials. The hybrid materials thus prepared were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The experimental results confirmed the successful synthesis of TiO2–PHEMA hybrid materials. Compared to other methods, the method reported here involving the direct combination of PHEMA on the TiO2 surface was simply catalyzed by visible light without the addition of initiators.