Nanocomposites of Size‐Tunable ZnO‐Nanoparticles and Amphiphilic Hyperbranched Polymers

Abstract

Highly dispersed ZnO nanoparticles with variable particle sizes were successfully prepared within an amphiphilic hyperbranched polyetherpolyol matrix via decomposition of an organometallic precursor in the presence of air leading to stable nanocomposites. The high degree of stabilization during and after the synthesis by the polymer permits control over the nanoparticle size and therefore, due to the quantum-size-effect, the particle properties. Furthermore, these polymer-inorganic nanocomposites can easily be dispersed in apolar solvents to yield highly transparent, stable solutions.

Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles by PNP and its application on the functional finishing of cotton fabrics

“…Inset of Figure 2 is the SAED pattern of ZnO NPs. It depicts 6 obvious concentric rings which indicates the crystalline characteristics of ZnO NPs [25]. The rings could be attributed to the diffraction from the planes of (100), (101), (102), (110), (103) and (112) of the hexagonal wurtzite ZnO, respectively [26].…”

ZnO/Liquid Crystalline Nanohybrids: From Properties in Solution to Anisotropic Growth

“…This method generally involves the use of amine ligands with long alkyl chains as stabilizers and takes advantage of the exothermic reaction commonly displayed by organometallic complexes in air. [19] Using [Zn(Cy) 2 ] as a precursor provides a safer synthetic method than other organometallic complexes, such as diethyl zinc, which was used by Richter and co-workers [17] and is a precursor with more easily controlled hydrolysis. [24] In a typical experiment, a given quantity of either Tren-OMeLC or TREN-CNLC was dissolved in a volume of dry THF.…”

“…Recently, branched capping agents have attracted special interest in the field of nanohybrids due to their effective stabilization properties for ZnO nanoparticles in polar and non-polar solvents. [16][17][18] These stabilizers are characterized by their threedimensional molecular shapes; they also have low mobility at the NP surface and present a large number of functional end groups, which makes them easy to tailor for end-user purposes.Here, we report the elaboration of ZnO NP hybrids, synthesized by using an organometallic method and using macromolecules (i.e., Tren-LCs) as the sole stabilizing agents (see Scheme 1). This approach involves the hydrolysis of dicyclohexylzinc, [ZnA C H T U N G T R E N N U N G (Cy 2 )] in air to give ZnO NPs with volatile cyclohexane as the unique side product.…”

“…Recently, branched capping agents have attracted special interest in the field of nanohybrids due to their effective stabilization properties for ZnO nanoparticles in polar and non-polar solvents. [16][17][18] These stabilizers are characterized by their threedimensional molecular shapes; they also have low mobility at the NP surface and present a large number of functional end groups, which makes them easy to tailor for end-user purposes.…”

Fluorinated modification of hyperbranched polyesters used for improving the surface property of UV curing coatings

“…Therefore, many novel hyperbranched polymers have been synthesized for various applications [3][4][5][6].…”