9871450 Matyjaszewski The proposed research explores the synthesis and characterization of inorganic / organic hybrid materials produced by controlled polymerization of both segments. Diblock, triblock, star and comb-like copolymers will be the fundamental architectures utilized in the design of the hybrids. Polysilylenes, polyphosphazenes and polysiloxanes will be used as the inorganic segments. Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrenes, acrylates and methacrylates will afford organic segments with predetermined molecular weights and low polydisperisties. The product composition, molecular weight, polydispersities and architecture of the hybrids will influence component miscibilities, morphologies, thermal and mechanical properties. The structural parameters of inorganic and organic segments will be systematically varied to correlate them with the macroscopic properties of hybrids. %%% Inorganic and organic polymers have several advantages but also some drawbacks specific for each category. The hybrid materials synthesized by combining inorganic and organic polymers via covalent linkages should enable optimization of the electronic, optical, biological and environmental properties of one segment in conjunction with improved mechanical properties and processibility imparted by the other and explore new properties specific for the hybrid structure. ***
