Zinc-Containing Block Copolymer as a Precursor for thein SituFormation of Nano ZnO and PMMA/ZnO Nanocomposites

Abstract

We report on the synthesis of highly transparent and UV-absorbing PMMA/ZnO nanocomposites prepared by hydrolysis of a ZnO precursor, the A-b-(AB) diblock copolymer, poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate-co-(zinc methacrylate acetate)), PMMA-b-P(MMA-co-ZnMAAc), synthesized by RAFT polymerization. The zinc content of the block copolymers was in the range from 3 to 13 wt %. The PMMA block provides inherent compatibility with the PMMA matrix, whereas the second block, P(MMA-co-ZnMAAc) with zinc ions, acts as a polymeric precursor for the formation of ZnO nanoparticles. The amphiphilic block copolymer self-organizes in THF and THF/H2O in ordered nanostructures, thereby influencing the nanoparticle formation during the hydrolysis of the precursor block copolymer with KOH in a solvent mixture THF/H2O. The ZnO nanoparticles were rod-shaped with lengths up to 80 nm and a diameter of 14 nm and were redispersible in THF. Dispersions in THF and thin films of PMMA/ZnO nanocomposite exhibit excellent...