Photoluminescent silicon nanocrystal-polymer hybrid materials viasurface initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization

Silicon-polymer core-shell hybrid materials are obtained viasurface initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization from photoluminescent silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs). Polymer grafted SiNCs and free polymers in solution are separated using ultracentrifugation. The polymerization on the surface proceeds in a living manner which is confirmed viaGPC, DLS and TGA measurements. This method was applied to various other monomers. The obtained materials all show bright red photoluminescence originating from the SiNC core.