Surface functionalized ZnO particles designed for the use in transparent nanocomposites

We present a new method for preparing a nano-composite containing highly dispersed ZnO nanoparticles. The essence of this approach is the formation of surface modified inorganic particles and their homogeneous incorporation into a polymeric matrix. Therefore, an inverse emulsion of an inorganic salt, for example, zinc acetate stabilized by amphiphilic statistical copolymers, is prepared. By hydrolysis under basic conditions ZnO particles of a size below 100 nm are formed within the micelles. As the surfactant remains adsorbed on the surface of the particles, a surface functionalization with hydrophobic chains is performed. These chains can be considered as compatibilizers for blending of the ZnO nanoparticles in PMMA affording transparent nanocomposite films avoiding particle aggregated. The present approach is in principle applicable to all nanoparticles prepared in a sol-gel process.