Article

Synthesis and characterization of poly(methylmethacrylate)/silica nanocomposites: Study of the interphase by solid-state NMR and structure/properties relationships†

  1. Roberto Avolio1,‡,
  2. Gennaro Gentile2,‡,
  3. Maurizio Avella2,
  4. Donatella Capitani3,*,
  5. Maria Emanuela Errico2,*

Article first published online: 13 OCT 2010

DOI: 10.1002/pola.24377

Issue

Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry

Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry

Volume 48, Issue 23, pages 5618–5629, 1 December 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Avolio, R., Gentile, G., Avella, M., Capitani, D. and Errico, M. E. (2010), Synthesis and characterization of poly(methylmethacrylate)/silica nanocomposites: Study of the interphase by solid-state NMR and structure/properties relationships. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem., 48: 5618–5629. doi: 10.1002/pola.24377

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Materials Engineering and Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, P.le Tecchio, 80-80125 Napoli, Italy

  2. 2

    Institute of Polymer Chemistry and Technology (ICTP), National Research Council (CNR), Via Campi Flegrei, 34-80078 Pozzuoli (Na), Italy

  3. 3

    Magnetic Resonance Laboratory “Annalaura Segre”, Institute of Chemical Methodologies (IMC), National Research Council (CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300 00016 Monterotondo Scalo (RM), Italy

  1. ‡

    Roberto Avolio and Gennaro Gentile contributed equally to this work.

*Magnetic Resonance Laboratory “Annalaura Segre”, Institute of Chemical Methodologies (IMC), National Research Council (CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300 00016 Monterotondo Scalo (RM), Italy

  1. †

    The authors dedicate this work to Prof. Annalaura Segre.

  2. ‡

    Roberto Avolio and Gennaro Gentile contributed equally to this work.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 OCT 2010
  2. Article first published online: 13 OCT 2010
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 6 SEP 2010
  4. Manuscript Received: 5 JUL 2010

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Keywords:

  • hybrids;
  • interfaces;
  • interfacial adhesion;
  • nanocomposites;
  • NMR;
  • radical polymerization;
  • solid-state NMR

Abstract

Organic/inorganic nanocomposites were synthesized from poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and properly modified silica nanoparticles by in situ polymerization. Methacryloylpropyltrimethoxysilane was selected as nanoparticle surface modifier because it is characterized by unsaturated end groups available to radical reactions, making possible to suppose their participation in the acrylic monomer polymerization. As a result of the above hypothesized reactions, a phase constituted by polyacrylic chains grafted onto modified silica surface was isolated. 29Si and 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance experiments permitted to analyze this phase in terms of composition and chain mobility as well as to highlight interaction mechanisms occurring between growing PMMA oligoradicals and functional groups onto silica surface. It was demonstrated that this PMMA grafted onto silica surface acts as an effective coupling agent and assures a good dispersion of nanoparticles as well as a strong nanoparticle/matrix interfacial adhesion. As a result of strong interactions occurring between phases, a significant increase of the glass transition temperature was recorded. Finally, the abrasion resistance of PMMA in the hybrids was significantly improved as a result of a different abrasion propagation mechanism induced by silica particles thus overcoming one of the most serious PMMA drawback. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010

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