Synthesis of core-shell polybutadiene/silica hybrid nanoparticles via hydrolysis

Core-shell polybutadiene/silica(PB/silica) hybrid nanoparticles have been synthesized by hydrolysis of chlorosilane-functionalized PB synthesized by anionic polymerization techniques.The structure and properties of the PB/silica hybrid material were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,thermogravimetric analysis and gel permeation chromatography.The microstructure of the PB/silica hybrid material was characterized by laser diffraction particle size analysis,transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy.The factors that affect the properties of the product such as reaction time,molecular weight of PB,and the amounts of SiCl4 and H2O were varied.The results indicated that the size of the nanoparticles was about 100 nm,and the content of PB/silica hybrid nanoparticles in the product increased with increasing reaction time and with decreasing molecular weight of PB,and on reducing the amount of SiCl4.When the molar ratio n(H2O)/n(Cl) was 2,the content of PB/silica hybrid nanoparticles in the product was found to be a maximum.