Characterization of polyaniline/Ag nanocomposites using H2O2 and ultrasound radiation for enhancing rate

Polyaniline/Ag nanocomposites have been synthesized via in situ chemical oxidation polymerization of aniline in silver salt by sonochemical method using H₂O₂ as an external medium. H₂O₂ was used to reduce AgNO₃ to Ag nanoparticles as well as to polymerize aniline to polyaniline in the same pot. The ultrasound radiation as an energy source was applied to facilitate the reaction by reducing the reaction time. Reduction of the silver salt in aqueous aniline leads to the formation of silver nanoparticles which in turn catalyze oxidation of aniline to polyaniline. The research on the structures and properties of the composites showed the individual or aggregated silver nanoparticles are dispersed in the matrix of polyaniline. The composites possess a higher degradation temperature than polyaniline alone, and their electrical conductivity are raised morethan 200 times. The cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy results showed that the polyaniline/Ag film exhibits considerably higher electroactivity compared with polyaniline film without Ag particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1662–1668, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A Novel Approach to Prepare Poly(Vinyl Acetate)/Ag Nanocomposite for Effective Antimicrobial Coating Applications

Polyvinyl acetate nanocomposites were successfully prepared based on silver nanoparticles. First, silver nanoparticles were directly prepared during the in situ emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate monomer using AgNO₃ as a source of Ag⁺ ions and poly(vinyl alcohol) was used for dual functions as emulsifier for emulsion polymerization and as a stabilizing agent, trisodium citrate (C₆H₅O₇Na₃) was used as reducing agent for Ag⁺ ions during the polymerization process. The prepared polyvinyl acetate/Ag nanocomposites were assessed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet spectra. The antibacterial properties of the prepared polyvinyl acetate/Ag nanocomposites were investigated as antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus (G^+ve bacteria) and Escherichia coli (G^?ve bacteria). These polyvinyl acetate nanocomposites could be used as a promising material for enhanced and continuous antibacterial applications as coating and packaging materials.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel silver/L‐phenylalanine‐based optically active polyacrylate nanocomposite

Novel bioactive and optically active poly(N‐acryloyl‐L ‐phenylalanine) (PAPA) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. PAPA‐silver (Ag) nanocomposites have been successfully prepared via in situ reducing Ag⁺ ions anchored in the polymer chain using hydrazine hydrate as reducing agent in an aqueous medium. By controlling of the amount of Ag⁺ ions introduced, we have produced an organic/inorganic nanocomposite containing Ag nanoparticles with well controlled size. Nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared. XRD pattern showed presence of Ag nanoparticles. The PAPA/Ag nanocomposites with 1 : 10 silver nitrate (AgNO₃) : PAPA ratio revealed the presence of well‐dispersed Ag nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. All of these Ag nanoparticles formed are spherical and more than 80% of them are in the range of 15–25 nm. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Novel electrically conductive and ferromagnetic composites of poly(aniline‐co‐aminonaphthalenesulfonic acid) with iron oxide nanoparticles: Synthesis and characterization

Nanocomposites of iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) with a sulfonated polyaniline, poly(aniline‐co‐aminonaphthalenesulfonic acid) [SPAN(ANSA)], were synthesized through chemical oxidative copolymerization of aniline and 5‐amino‐2‐naphthalenesulfonic acid/1‐amino‐5‐naphthalenesulfonic acid in the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The nanocomposites [Fe₃O₄/SPAN(ANSA)‐NCs] were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, UV–visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), superconductor quantum interference device (SQUID), and electrical conductivity measurements. The TEM images reveal that nanocrystalline Fe₃O₄ particles were homogeneously incorporated within the polymer matrix with the sizes in the range of 10–15 nm. XRD pattern reveals that pure Fe₃O₄ particles are having spinel structure, and nanocomposites are more crystalline in comparison to pristine polymers. Differential thermogravimetric (DTG) curves obtained through TGA informs that polymer chains in the composites have better thermal stability than that of the pristine copolymers. FTIR spectra provide information on the structure of the composites. The conductivity of the nanocomposites (～ 0.5 S cm^?1) is higher than that of pristine PANI (～ 10^?3 S cm^?1). The charge transport behavior of the composites is explained through temperature difference of conductivity. The temperature dependence of conductivity fits with the quasi‐1D variable range hopping (quasi‐1D VRH) model. SQUID analysis reveals that the composites show ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. The maximum saturation magnetization of the composite is 9.7 emu g^?1. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of conducting poly(aniline‐co‐diaminodiphenylsulfone) copolymers

Polyaniline, poly(aniline‐co‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone), and poly(4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone) were synthesized by ammonium peroxydisulfate oxidation and characterized by a number of techniques, including infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. These copolymers had enhanced solubility in common organic solvents in comparison with polyaniline. The conductivities of the HCl‐doped polymers ranged from 1 S cm^?1 for polyaniline to 10^?8 S cm^?1 for poly(4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone). The copolymer compositions showed that block copolymers of 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (r₁ > 1) and aniline (r₂ < 1) formed and that the reactivity of 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone was greater than that of aniline. The results were explained by the effect of the ? SO₂? group present in the polymer structure. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2337–2347, 2003     

Polyaniline–silver composites prepared by the oxidation of aniline with silver nitrate in acetic acid solutions

The reaction between two non‐conducting chemicals, aniline and silver nitrate, yields a composite of two conducting components, polyaniline and metallic silver. Such conducting polymer composites combine the electrical properties of metals and the materials properties of polymers. In the present study, aniline was oxidized with silver nitrate in solutions of acetic acid; in this context, aniline oligomers are often a major component of the oxidation products. An insoluble precipitate of silver acetate is also present in the samples. The optimization of reaction conditions with respect to aniline and acetic acid concentrations leads to a conductivity of the composite as high as 8000 S cm^?1 at ca 70 wt% (ca 21 vol%) of silver. A sufficient concentration of acetic acid, as well as a time extending to several weeks, has to be provided for the successful polymerization of aniline. Polyaniline is present as nanotubes or nanobrushes composed of thin nanowires. The average size of the silver nanoparticles is 30–50 nm; silver nanowires are also observed. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis,Characterization and Conducting Properties of Nanocomposites of Intercalated 2-Aminophenol with Aniline in Sodium-Montmorillonite

A simple method was used to synthesize poly(2-aminophenol), poly(2-aminophenol-co-Aniline) and polyaniline nanocomposites with sodium-montmorillonite (Na-M) using in situ intercalative oxidative polymerization. Morphology and thermal properties of the synthesized nanocomposites were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis. The thermal analysis shows an improved thermal stability of the nanocomposites in comparison with the pure poly(2-aminophenol). The intercalation of polymers into the clay layers was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies, TEM images and FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, the room temperature conductivity values of these nanocomposites varied between 8.21 × 10^?5 and 6.76 × 10^?4 S cm^?1. The electrochemical behavior of the polymers extracted from the nanocomposites, has been analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. Good electrochemical response has been observed for polymer films; the observed redox processes indicate that the polymerization into Na-M produces electroactive polymers.     

Thermal stability of HCl‐doped‐polyaniline and TiO2 nanoparticles‐based nanocomposites

Electrically conductive HCl doped polyaniline (Pani) : titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanocomposites thin films were prepared by in‐situ oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of different amounts of TiO₂ nanoparticles. Later film casting was done using N‐Methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent. The formation of Pani : TiO₂ nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier Transform Infra‐Red spectroscopy (FTIR), x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The stability of the nanocomposites in terms of direct‐current electrical conductivity retention was studied in air by isothermal and cyclic techniques. The films of Pani : TiO₂ nanocomposites were observed thermally more stable under ambient environmental conditions than pure polyaniline film. The stability was seen to be highly dependent on the content of TiO₂ nanoparticles in the nanocomposite films. Due to their high stability, such type of nanocomposites can find place as a replacement material for pure polyaniline in electrical and electronic devices. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

A novel method for preparing silver/poly(siloxane‐b‐methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites with multiple properties in the DMF‐toluene mixture solvent

A novel method for preparing silver/poly(siloxane‐b‐methyl methacrylate) (Ag/(PDMS‐b‐PMMA)) hybrid nanocomposites was proposed by using the siloxane‐containing block copolymers as stabilizer. The reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) was performed in the mixture solvent of dimethyl formamide (DMF) and toluene, which was used to dissolve double‐hydrophobic copolymer, as well as served as the powerful reductant. The presence of the PMMA block in the copolymer indeed exerted as capping ligands for nanoparticles. The resultant nanocomposites exhibited super hydrophobicity with water contact angle of 123.3^° and the thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) revealed that the resultant nanocomposites with more PDMS were more heat‐resisting. Besides, the antimicrobial efficiency of the most desirable nanocomposite (Ag/PDMS₆₅‐b‐PMMA₃₀ loaded with 7.3% silver nanoparticle) could reach up to 99.4% when contacting with escherichia coli within 120 min. As a whole, the resultant nanocomposites by the integration of excellent properties of silver nanoparticles as well as siloxane‐block copolymers can be a promising for the development of materials with hydrophobic, heat‐resisting and outstanding antibacterial properties from the chemical product engineering viewpoint. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4780–4793, 2013     

Synthesis and characterization of N‐ and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]

Poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] was synthesized in an aqueous hydrochloric acid medium with a determined feed ratio by chemical oxidative polymerization. This polymer was used as a functional conducting polymer intermediate because of its side‐group reactivity. To synthesize the alkyl‐substituted copolymer, the initial copolymer was reacted with NaH to obtain the N‐ and O‐anionic copolymer after the reaction with octadecyl bromide to prepare the octadecyl‐substituted polymer. The microstructure of the obtained polymers was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR, and X‐ray diffraction. The thermal behavior of the polymers was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology of obtained copolymers was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The cyclic voltammetry investigation showed the electroactivity of poly [aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and N and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]. The conductivities of the polymers were 5 × 10^?5 S/cm for poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and 5 ×10^?7 S/cm for the octadecyl‐substituted copolymer. The conductivity measurements were performed with a four‐point probe method. The solubility of the initial copolymer in common organic solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and dimethylformamide was greater than polyaniline. The alkylated copolymer was mainly soluble in nonpolar solvents such as n‐hexane and cyclohexane. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Development of polyaniline/zinc oxide nanocomposite impregnated fabric as an electrostatic charge dissipative material

The paper presents the electrostatic charge dissipative performance of conducting polymer nanocomposite impregnated fabric based on polyaniline (PANI) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). Conducting polymer nanocomposites (PANI‐ZnO NPs) were synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline by using sodium dodecyl sulfate as surfactant and HCl as dopant. Coating of PANI‐ZnO nanocomposites on the cotton fabric was carried out during polymerization. The interaction of ZnO NPs with the PANI matrix was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), TGA, XRD, scanning electron Microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and conductivity measurements. The conductivity of PANI‐ZnO NP coated fabric was found to be in the range 10^?3 ? 10^?6 S cm^?1 depending on the loading concentration of ZnO NPs in the polymer matrix. TEM and HRTEM images showed that the PANI‐ZnO nanocomposites had an average diameter of 25–30 nm and were nicely dispersed in the polymer matrix. Antistatic performance of the nanocomposite impregnated fabric was investigated by static decay meter and John Chubb instrument. The static decay time of the film was in the range 0.5 ? 3.4 s on recording the decay time from 5000 V to 500 V. This indicated that the nanocomposite based on PANI‐ZnO nanocomposites has great potential to be used as an effective antistatic material. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Development of nanocomposites of bentonite with polyaniline and poly(methacrylic acid)

Nanocomposites of bentonite with polyaniline (PANI), poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), and poly(aniline‐co‐methacrylic acid) (PANI‐co‐PMAA) were prepared by in situ intercalative polymerization technique. The nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR and UV–visible spectroscopies, XRD, SEM, TEM, as well as TG‐DTA studies. The in situ intercalative polymerization of PANI, PMAA, and PANI‐co‐PMAA within bentonite layers was confirmed by FTIR, XRD, SEM, as well as TEM studies. XRD confirmed the intercalation of polymers and copolymer in bentonite. The average particle size of the nanocomposites was found to be in the range of 250–500 nm. The thermal stability was found be the highest for PANI‐co‐PMAA‐bentonite. The swelling behavior studies suggest that these nanocomposites hold potential for their utilization in absorption of toxic materials from waste water. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3299–3306, 2007     

Synthesis of amine‐functionalized block copolymers for nanopollutant removal from water

Polyamines are rare in literature owing to increased reactivity, sensitivity to air and moisture, low stability, and processing difficulties. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of highly processable polyamines and use them for the removal of dissolved metallic nanoparticles from water. Three amphiphilic block polyamines such as poly(N‐aminoethyl acrylamide‐b‐styrene), poly(N‐aminopropyl acrylamide‐b‐styrene), and poly(N‐aminoxylyl acrylamide‐b‐styrene) have been synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization of ethyl acrylate and styrene followed by aminolysis of the acrylic block. The polymerization and properties of the polymers are studied using different physicochemical techniques. Surface morphology of films prepared from these block copolymers by dissolving in different solvents such as chloroform, tetrahydrofuran and N,N‐dimethylformamide, and drop‐casting polymers on a glass substrate show interesting porous films and spherical nanostructures. In addition, the amine‐functionalized block copolymers have been used for the removal of nanoparticles from water and show high extraction efficiency toward silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles. All three amine‐functionalized block copolymers show higher extraction capacities (Q_e) toward Au NPs (50–109 mg g^?1) and Ag NPs (99–117 mg g^?1). Our approach allows us to make amine‐functionalized block copolymers which are stable in air and can be easily processed in nonpolar solvents. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40943.     

Conjugated polymer mediated synthesis of nanoparticle clusters and core/shell nanoparticles

Two water soluble conjugated polymers, poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and ammonium ion stabilized poly(phenylene vinylene) (P2), are found to be able to reduce noble metal ions to zero-valent metals via a direct chemical deposition technique. Au nanoparticle clusters can be obtained through reduction of Au³⁺ ions by PEDOT:PSS and the electronic coupling between them can be controlled by HAuCl₄ concentration. Core/shell Ag/polymer nanostructures are prepared from reduction of Ag⁺ ions by P2, which have a ppb detection limit for 4-MBA using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). This conjugated polymer mediated synthesis of metal nanoparticles may open a new avenue for fabricating nanomaterials and nanocomposites with tunable optical properties that are dominated by their structure and electronic coupling between nanoparticles.     

Characterization and AC conductivity of polyaniline–montmorillonite nanocomposites synthesized by mechanical/chemical reaction

Polyaniline–clay nanocomposites were prepared by solid state polymerization of aniline chloride in the interlayer of montmorillonite through the use of persulfate of ammonium as oxidant. The proportion of aniline to clay and the molar ratio of oxidant to aniline are being varied. The analyse of UV visible and FTIR spectroscopy demonstrated that aniline has been polymerized to polyaniline (PANI) in its conducting emeraldine form. The conformation adopted by PANI chains in the clay interlayer depended on the molar ratio of aniline to montmorillonite. Thermogravimetric analysis of the nanocomposites suggested that polyaniline chains are more thermally stable than those of free polyaniline prepared by solid–solid reaction. The AC conductivity data of different synthesized nanocomposites were analyzed as a function of frequency. Low frequency conductivities of polyaniline/montmorillonite nanocomposites materials ranges from 0.18 to 5.6 × 10^?3 S/cm. All characterization data were compared to those of free polyaniline that was synthesized using a solid–solid reaction.     

Preparation and evaluation of polyaniline and polypyrrole modified water‐dispersible conducting nanocomposites of polyacrylonitrile with silica

Water‐dispersible conducting nanocomposites were prepared by precipitating polyaniline (PANI)/polypyrrole (PPY) in an aqueous suspension of polyacrylonitrile–SiO₂ (PAN–SiO₂) via K₂CrO₄–NaAsO₂ redox polymerization. Incorporation of PANI and PPY in the composites was confirmed by the FTIR spectrum. Scanning electron microscopic analyses for the PANI–(PAN–SiO₂) and PPY–(PAN–SiO₂) composites indicated formation of lumpy aggregates with irregular sizes. TEM analyses revealed formation of spherical particles with size ranging between 80 and 150 nm for PANI–(PAN–SiO₂) nanocomposite and 75–150 nm for PPY‐(PAN‐SiO₂) nanocomposites, respectively. Thermal stabilities of the PANI–(PAN–SiO₂) and PPY–(PAN–SiO₂) nanocomposites were higher than those of the individual base polymers. Conductivity values of PANI–(PAN–SiO₂) nanocomposite (10^?3 S cm^?1) and PPY–(PAN–SiO₂) nanocomposite (10^?4 S cm^?1) were remarkably improved relative to that for PAN homopolymer (>10^?11 S cm^?1). Both of these composites produced a permanently stable aqueous suspension when the polymerization was conducted in presence of nanodimensional SiO₂ as a particulate dispersant. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Optical,electrical and morphological properties of transparent binary doped polyaniline thin films synthesized by in situ chemical bath deposition

The development of polymeric thin films has attracted attention in the optoelectronics field due to their transparency. The aim of the research presented was to obtain transparent polyaniline thin films by easy in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline with ammonium persulfate in the presence of a binary doping agent–poly(vinyl alcohol) mixture. Poly(acrylic acid), 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid or sodium dodecylsulfate were mixed with hydrochloric acid to form the binary doping agents. Polyaniline thin films were produced during aniline polymerization on Corning glass slides immersed in the mixture in order to study their optical, electrical and morphological properties. The optical absorption coefficient and the energy band gap were evaluated by optical transmission of the films in the UV‐visible spectral region. The optical absorption coefficient of all polyaniline films was of the order of 10⁴ cm^?1 with a maximum transmittance up to 80% at 550 nm. In order to investigate the effect of the mixture on the surface morphology and roughness of the films, atomic force microscopy was used. In general, surface roughness was reduced threefold by adding a mixture and optical transmission was increased by 20–30% without significantly affecting the absorption coefficient and the band gap of polyaniline. Islands and needle‐like structures on the film surfaces were obtained from various mixtures affecting the conductivity; for example, 0.17 S cm^?1 was obtained from needle‐like morphology, while 1.9 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 was obtained from island morphology. Raman spectroscopy studies confirmed the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol) in the thin films. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Poly(2‐) and (3‐aminobenzoic acids) and their copolymers with aniline: Synthesis,characterization, and properties

Poly(2‐aminobenzoic acid) and poly(3‐aminobenzoic acid) were synthesized by chemical polymerization of the respective monomers with aqueous 1M hydrochloric acid and 0.49M sodium hydroxide, using ammonium persulfate as an oxidizing agent. In addition, polymerization in an acid medium was carried out in the presence of metal ions, such as Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II). Poly(2‐aminobenzoic acid‐co‐aniline) and poly(3‐aminobenzoic acid‐co‐aniline) were synthesized by chemical copolymerization of aniline with 2‐ and 3‐aminobenzoic acids, respectively, in aqueous 1M hydrochloric acid. The copolymers were synthesized at several mole fractions of aniline in the feed and characterized by UV–visible and FTIR spectroscopy, the thermal stability, and the electrical conductivity. Metal ions, such as Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II), were incorporated into homo‐ and copolymers by the batch method. The percentage of metal ions in the polymers was higher in the copolymers than in the homopolymers. The thermal stability of the copolymers increased as the feed mole fraction of aniline decreased and varied with the incorporation of metal ions in the polymers. The electrical conductivity of the homo‐ and copolymers was measured, which ranged between 10^?3 and 10^?10 S cm^?1. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2641–2648, 2003     

Synthesis of cellulose/reduced graphene oxide/polyaniline nanocomposite and its properties

A series of conductive nanocomposites cellulose/reduced graphene oxide/polyaniline (cellulose/RGO/PANi) were synthesized via in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline on cellulose/RGO with different RGO loading to study the effect of RGO on the properties of nanocomposites. The results showed that when RGO is inserted into cellulose/PANi structure, its thermal stability and conductivity are increased. So that adding of only 0.3 wt% RGO into the cellulose/PANi structure, its conductivity is increased from 1.1 × 1 10^?1 to 5.2 × 110^?1 S/cm. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the PANi nanoparticles are formed a continuous spherical shape over the cellulose/RGO template; this increases the thermal stability of nanocomposite.     

A novel route for the synthesis of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) grafted TiO2 nanoparticles via surface thiol‐lactam initiated radical polymerization

Hybrid nanocomposites of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized via surface thiol‐lactam initiated radical polymerization by following the grafting from strategy. Initially, TiO₂ nanoparticles were modified by 3‐mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane to prepare thiol functionalized TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂? SH). Subsequently, surface initiated polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate was conducted by using TiO₂? SH and butyrolactam as an initiating system. The anchoring of PHEMA onto the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles was investigated by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, XPS, TGA, and XRD analyses. The experimental results indicated a strong interaction between PHEMA and TiO₂ nanoparticles owing to covalent bonding. The TEM and SEM images of PHEMA‐g‐TiO₂ showed that the agglomeration propensity of TiO₂ nanoparticles was significantly reduced upon the PHEMA functionalization. The molecular weight and polydispersity index of the cleaved PHEMA from the surface of TiO₂ nanocomposites were estimated by GPC analysis. An improved thermal property of the nanocomposites was observed from TGA analysis. PHEMA‐g‐TiO₂ nanocomposites were found to be highly dispersible in organic solvents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013