Synthesis of Mechanically Robust Very High Molecular Weight Polyisoprene Particle Brushes by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Linear polyisoprene (PI) and SiO₂-g-PI particle brushes were synthesized by both conventional and activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The morphology and solution state study on the particle brushes by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) confirmed the successful grafting of PI ligands on the silica surface. The presence of nanoparticle clusters suggests low grafting density (associated with the limited initiation efficiency of ARGET for PI). Nevertheless, particle brushes with very high molecular weights, M_n > 300,000, were prepared, which significantly improved the dispersion of silica nanoparticles and also contributed to excellent mechanical performance. The reinforcing effects of SiO₂ nanofillers and very high molecular weight PI ligands were investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) as well as computational simulation for the cured linear PI homopolymer/SiO₂-g-PI particle brush bulk films.