A versatile method for grafting polymers on nanoparticles

We report a simple and versatile method for grafting polymers on nanoparticles. A procedure was developed for the synthesis and subsequent functionalization of silica nimoparticles with a perfluorophenylazide. Polymers were then grafted by the photochernically induced insertion reactions of the perfluorophenylnitrene. Polystyrene, poly(4-vinylpyridine), and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) were successfully grafted on silica nanoparticles. Grafting density was studied with regard to polymer concentration and molecular weight.