Grafting PMMA Brushes from α-Alumina Nanoparticles via SI-ATRP

Abstract

Alumina nanoparticles are widely used as nanofillers for polymer nanocomposites. Among several different polymorphs of alumina, α-alumina has the most desirable combination of physical properties. Hence, the attachment of polymer chains to α-alumina to enhance compatibility in polymeric matrixes is an important goal. However, the chemical inertness and low concentration of surface hydroxyl groups have rendered polymer modification of α-alumina a long-standing challenge. Herein, we report that activation of α-alumina in concentrated or molten NaOH as well as in molten K2S2O7 increased polymer graft density up to 50%, thereby facilitating the synthesis of α-alumina brush particles with uniform grafting density of 0.05 nm(-2) that are readily miscible or dispersible in organic solvents or in chemically compatible polymeric hosts.

Glass transition temperature of PMMA/modified alumina nanocomposite: molecular dynamic study

“…Aluminum oxide or alumina is a good candidate for this purpose because of its unique mechanical and thermal properties [8][9][10]. Many nanocomposite properties are affected by the amount of filler adhesion to the polymer matrix [11][12][13][14]. In this study, to increase the adhesion between the fillers and the polymer matrix, hydroxyl alumina and alumina have been used as fillers and their effects on the adhesion were compared.…”

Epoxide functionalized γ‐Al2O3/Fe3O4/SiO2 nanocomposite and comparative adsorption behavior of a model reactive azo dye

“…Alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) nanocrystals have been emerged as an important class of ceramic materials because of high surface area, thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability, Lewis acidic nature and porosity . These diverse properties made them useful in high‐temperature catalyst or catalytic support, tissue engineering as scaffolds, coating formulation, composite reinforcing materials and membrane . Preparation of Al 2 O 3 ‐based composite materials is therefore immensely important to magnify the application potential as well as to overcome the limitations such as tendency to aggregation, poor functionality, and poor compatibility with the aqueous environment generally observed for most metal oxides.…”

“…Nonetheless, only few research articles are available on the preparation of inorganic‐organic hybrid composite materials with Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles. Khabibullin et al grafted poly(methyl methacrylate) brushes on α‐Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles via surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization . Popat et al designed poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) modified Al 2 O 3 composite particles for targeted drug delivery system .…”

Epoxide Functional γ-Al2O3/Fe3O4/SiO2 Ceramic Nanocomposite Particles as Adsorbent for Reactive Azo Dye: Understanding Surface Property

“…Alumina (Al2O3) nanocrystals constitutes important class of nanoscale ceramic materials, possess desirable surface properties such as high surface area, thermal, mechanical and chemical stability, Lewis acid property and porosity [1][2][3][4][5]. These properties make them useful in hightemperature catalyst or catalytic support, tissue scaffolds, coating formulation, composite reinforcing materials, sorbent and membrane [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Recently researchers are continuously thriving for new class of composite materials to widen the application potential as well as to overcome the limitations such as tendency to aggregation, poor functionality and poor compatibility with the aqueous environment generally observed for metal oxides.…”