Polystyrene-Grafted Magnetite Nanoparticles Prepared through Surface-Initiated Nitroxyl-Mediated Radical Polymerization

Surface-modified magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (d = 10 nm) was prepared by direct polymerization of styrene on their surface. With use of nitroxyl-mediated initiator for radical polymerization with the phosphonic acid group, magnetite particles with a controlled polystyrene graft layer on the surface were successfully prepared. The surface-modified magnetite was dispersed in good solvents for polystyrene such as chloroform, toluene, ethyl acetate, and benzene.