Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate from Magnetite Nanoparticles at Ambient Temperature

The synthesis of methyl methacrylate (MMA) brush from the surface of magnetite nanoparticles (core-shell structure), from initiator moieties anchored covalently to the nanoparticles, via room temperature atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is described. The surface-initiated polymerization was carried out from a surface-confined initiator containing a 2-bromoisobutyrate moiety with Cu(I)Br/PMDETA catalytic system. The initiator moiety was covalently anchored to the nanoparticles via a two step modification reaction scheme. Controlled polymerization was observed if ethyl-2-bromoisobutyrate (2-EiBrB) was added as a free/sacrificial initiator. A linear increase of molecular weight and a narrow molecular weight distribution of the PMMA formed in solution, provide evidence for a controlled surface-initiated polymerization, leading to surface-attached polymer brushes under mild conditions. The grafted PMMA provides good stability and dispersibility for the nanoparticles in organic solvents.