Synthesis and characterization of TiO2/Ag/polymer ternary nanoparticles via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Abstract We report on the novel ternary hybrid materials consisting of semiconductor (TiO2), metal (Ag) and polymer (poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (POEM)). First, a hydrophilic polymer, i.e. POEM, was grafted from TiO2 nanoparticles via the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique. These TiO2–POEM brush nanoparticles were used to template the formation of Ag nanoparticles by introduction of a AgCF3SO3 precursor and a NaBH4 aqueous solution for reduction process. Successful grafting of polymeric chains from the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles and the in situ formation of Ag nanoparticles within the polymeric chains were confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). FT-IR spectroscopy also revealed the specific interaction of Ag nanoparticles with the C O groups of POEM brushes. This study presents a simple route for the in situ synthesis of both metal and polymer confined within the semiconductor, producing ternary hybrid inorganic–organic nanomaterials.