Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based hybrid materials with reactive zirconium oxide nanocrystals

Highly transparent and homogeneous hybrids containing a single nano-sized inorganic oxide domain were synthesized from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and aqueous dispersed zirconium oxide nanocrystals (ZrO2-NCs) in the presence of a coupling agent, 3-(methacryloxy)propyl-trimethoxysilane (MPTS), which was grafted onto the surface of ZrO2-NCs by zirconium hydroxide (Zr-OH) surface groups. The surface-functionalized ZrO2-NCs were used as macromonomers in the process of grafting from polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). The densities of surface Zr-OH groups and MPTS surface modifications were determined using thermogravimetric analysis. Fourier transform infrared analysis indicated successful bonding between organic and inorganic moieties. The morphology of the obtained hybrid films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and tapping-mode atomic force microscopy. Hybrid films possess interesting thermal stability and optical transparency characteristics because of the uniform incorporation of networks between organic polymer chains and inorganic nanocrystals. Polymer Journal (2010) 42, 58–65; doi:10.1038/pj.2009.309