Synthesis of PS/MCM-41 Nanocomposite via Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization Using Grafting from Approach

Recently, introduction of mesoporous silica nanoparticle such as MCM-41 which can be used as a filler of polymer products has generated great interest through both academia andindustry [1]. High surface area that can interact with a large volume fraction of the polymer matrix, uniform and narrowhexagonal arrangement nanoscale pore size, ranging from 2 nm to 8 nm, are some of their advantages [2]. In situ polymerization of monomers in presence of nanoparticlesprovides a chance to synthesis nanocomposites via one pot process and to control the properties of final product in thereactor. In situ synthesis of nanocomposites is highly favorable because of ability of control the structure and architecture of polymer. Among controlled/living radicalpolymerization (CLRP) techniques reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is one ofthe most versatile techniques with respect to reaction conditions and types of monomers. In this paper, we report preparation of PS/MCM-41 nanocomposites via RAFTpolymerization. For this purpose grafting from approach has been utilized. This approach provides more narrow dispersedpolymers and higher content of living chains on both the surface of the nanoparticle and matrix of polymer, and with higher values of grafting density in comparison with grafting to and grafting through approaches [3].