Properties of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-Grafted Colloidal Silica

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate) was prepared by radical polymerization and was grafted onto the surface of spherical colloidal silica. The copolymer, which had on average 1 silyl group per chain, condensed on the silica dispersed in THF at 60 degrees C. The resulting particles had a critical coagulation concentration of calcium chloride of 500 mM at room temperature, indicating robust colloidal stability. By …