A facile strategy for the functionalization of poly[cyclotriphosphazene‐co‐(4,4′‐sulfonyldiphenol)] materials

Recently, a new type of phosphazene-containing material, poly[cyclotriphosphazene-co-(4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol)] (PZS), was successfully prepared. PZS materials including PZS nanotubes, PZS nanofibers and PZS microspheres show excellent thermal stability, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Moreover, PZS-containing materials such as silver nanowire/PZS, carbon nanotube/PZS and Fe3O4/PZS nanotubes have also been prepared. Therefore, we explored a specific method for the functionalization of these PZS and PZS-containing materials to expand their scope of application. As a model of various PZS and PZS-containing materials, PZS microspheres (PZSMs) were functionalized via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Polymerization of styrene occurred at surface sites covalently derivatized with ATRP initiators to form PZSM–polystyrene. The number-average molecular weight (Mn) of grafted polymer chains could be well controlled. Furthermore, PZSM–polystyrene was still active for further block copolymerization of methyl methacrylate. Both styrene- and acrylate-type monomers could be directly polymerized or block copolymerized from the surface of PZS and PZS-containing materials using surface-initiated ATRP. Mn of grafted polymer chains could be well controlled. This facile strategy could pave the way for a wider range of applications of these materials. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry