Toward Hybrid Materials: Group Transfer Polymerization of 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl Methacrylate

Abstract

In this study, the group transfer polymerization (GTP) of the functional monomer 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPMA) is reported to produce polymers of different architectures and topologies. TMSPMA is successfully polymerized and copolymerized with GTP to produce well-defined (co)polymers that can be used to fabricate functional hybrid materials like hydrogels and films. An alkoxysilane containing monomer is polymerized by group transfer polymerization. Functional star polymers are produced that are later crosslinked to produce hybrid gels in a one-pot synthesis.