A novel strategy to synthesize well-defined PS brushes on silica particles by combination of lithium–iodine exchange (LIE) and surface-initiated living anionic polymerization (SI-LAP).

Core–shell hybrid particles, possessing a hard core of silica particles (SiPs) and a soft shell of brushlike polystyrene (PS), were successfully prepared by the combination of lithium–iodine exchange (LIE) and surface-initiated living anionic polymerization (SI-LAP). The molecular weight, graft density and brush thicknesses of the PS brushes were controllable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]