Synthesis of polymer-silica hybrid microparticles with defined geometry using surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Nanostructured polymer/silica hybrid materials have gained attention as they combine the advantageous properties of organic and inorganic materials in one entity. Herein, we report incorporation of chloromethyl moieties into a living diatom to prepare an alkyl-halide activated siliceous biotemplate. Subsequent, in situ polymerization via surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization generated a polymer/silica microparticle with defined geometry.Science Foundation Ireland under Grant no. [07/SRC/B1163]peer-reviewe