A simple method for synthesis of thermal responsive silica nanoparticle/PNIPAAm hybrids

The thermal responsive SiO2-PNIPAAm composites were designed and successfully synthesized. The structure, morphology, surface composition and temperature sensitive property in aqueous solution were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle measurement instrument and dynamic light scatter (DLS). FTIR measurement and N1s and C1s core-level spectrum of XPS illustrate that PNIPAAm is grafted availably. TEM analysis revealed the difference between bare SiO2 and PNIPAAm-functionalized SiO2. The measurements of water contact angle and DLS show that the hydration transition temperature of the thermal responsive SiO2-PNIPAAm composites is 304 K. The different grafted PNIPAM content has the obvious effect on the water contact angle measure and DLS for SiO2.

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► A simple method of thermal responsive silica nanoparticle /PNIPAM hybrids.
► Low impact on the environment using absolute alcohol as solvent.
► Contact angle measurement is used to examine the temperature switching behavior.