Researchers from Bar-Ilan University have developed novel hybrid silica nanoparticles (NPs) with highly photoreactive sites on their surface by incorporation of phenyl azide (PA) or benzophenone (BPh) functionality.
It is found that, in contrast to what is stated in the literature, SiO2@PA NPs are much more reactive than SiO2@PFPA ones in solid state photochemical reactions. Additionally, this is the first report of covalent immobilization of NPs into biocompatible parylene C films to form hydrophilic and functional composite films. Amine functionality has also been introduced onto the silica NPs by reaction with APTES. This approach could open up new possibilities for simple and solvent-free functionalization of materials by light.
Interested to know more? Why not read the full article for free: A. Peled, M. Naddaka and J.-P. Lellouche, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/c1jm00055a
