Journal of Nanomaterials 
Volume 2008 (2008), Article ID 609184, 8 pages
doi:10.1155/2008/609184
Research Article

A Simple Method for Forming Hybrid Core-Shell Nanoparticles Suspended in Water

Jean-Christophe Daigle and Jerome P. Claverie

 NanoQAM-Research Center for Functional Materials, University of Québec at Montréal, Succursale Centre Ville, Montreal, Québec, H3C3P8, Canada
Received 21 March 2008; Accepted 9 July 2008

Recommended by Claude Estournes

Abstract

Core-shell hybrid nanoparticles, where the core is an inorganic nanoparticle and the shell an organic polymer, are prepared by a two-step method. Inorganic nanoparticles are first dispersed in water using poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization as dispersant. Then, the resulting dispersion is engaged in a radical emulsion polymerization process whereby a hydrophobic organic monomer (styrene and butyl acrylate) is polymerized to form the shell of the hybrid nanoparticle. This method is extremely versatile, allowing the preparation of a variety of nanocomposites with metal oxides (alumina, rutile, anatase, barium titanate, zirconia, copper oxide), metals (Mo, Zn), and even inorganic nitrides (Si3N4).