In-situ Thermal Initiated Radical Transfer Addition Polymerization of Styrene from Silica Nanoparticles

The in-situ radical transfer addition polymerization (RFAP) of styrene from silica nanoparticles was carried out by the thermal initiated free radial polymerization of styrene in the presence of mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane (MPTES) modified silica nanoparticles (MPSNs) as a chain-transfer agent. The effects of the polymerizing temperature and time on the conversion of styrene (C) and the percentage of grafting (PG) were investigated. The product, polystyrene grafted silica nanoparticles (PS-SNs) had been characterized by elemental analysis (EA), IR, XPS and TEM. A C of 42.56% and a PG of 38.10% could be achieved with the optimal condition.