Design, synthesis, and characterization of one-dimensional ZnO/polymer nanohybrids

One-dimensional ZnO/polymer nanohybrids were prepared from ZnO nanorods via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique. Firstly, well-defined ZnO nanorods were synthesized by the solvent-thermal method. Subsequently, the ZnO nanorods were functionalized with 3-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane, which was converted to ATRP initiators by the esterification of them with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide. ZnO/polymer nanocables were then obtained in an ATRP of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with CuBr/2,2-bipyridine as the catalyst system. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, and Thermogravimetric analysis are all used to characterize the as-prepared ZnO-polymer hybrids. This protocol provides a practical and flexible approach to integrate multifunctionalities on a variety of nanostructured substrates.