Thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) on SiO2 nanoparticles as a function of SiO2 size and silanol density

► SiOH concentration on SiO2 nanoparticles was changed by heat/chemical treatment. ► Td increased as the number of SiOH/CO hydrogen bonds between PMMA/SiO2 increased. ► Td increased as PMMA coverage decreased for PMMA on SiO2 nanoparticles. ► SiOH/CO contacts and thus Td decreased as RSiO2/Rg (PMMA) decreased.