1. Ernst‐Berl Institute for Chemical Engineering and Macromolecular Science, Darmstadt University of Technology, D‐64287, Darmstadt, Germany;2. Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, Darmstadt University of Technology, D‐64289, Darmstadt, Germany;3. Jülich Centre for Neutron Science, D‐85747, Garching, Germany
Abstract:
The synthesis of polystyrene (PS) brushes on fully deuterated PS nanoparticles by surface‐initiated nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (SI‐NMRP) is reported. Due to the high demand of deuterated monomers, an efficient deuteration procedure of suitable and readily available precursors is developed. SI‐NMRP of styrene is improved regarding reaction control, grafting density, and conversion. Insights into the scaling behavior and conformational features of surface‐attached PS chains on deuterated particles are investigated by using dynamic light scattering measurements, proving that polymer brushes are formed. The particles with surface‐attached initiator are shown to be uniform spherical core‐shell particles by small‐angle neutron scattering measurements.
