| abstract |
There is herein disclosed a composite material comprising nanoparticles capped with a hydrophobic ligand dispersed within a polymer matrix. The hydrophobic ligand is a fatty acid and/or selected from (R 1 ) 3 P, (R 2 ) 3 P(O), R 3 P(O)(OH) 2 , R 4 NH 2 , R 5 —CO 2 H and mixtures thereof, wherein: R 1 to R 3 each independently represents a C 8 to C 24 straight- or branched-chain alkyl group that is saturated or unsaturated; R 4 represents a C 14 to C 24 straight- or branched-chain alkyl group that is saturated or unsaturated; and R 5 represents a C 12 to C 24 straight- or branched-chain alkyl group that is saturated or unsaturated, and methods for making the same. |