Nitroxide polymer brushes grafted on silica nanoparticles as binder-free cathodes for organic radical batteries have been investigated. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and electron spin resonance confirm that the nitroxide polymer brushes are successfully grafted onto silica nanoparticles via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The thermogravimetric analysis results indicate that the onset decomposition temperature of these nitroxide polymer brushes is found to be ca. 201 degrees C. The grafting density of the nitroxide polymer brushes grafted on silica nanoparticles is 0.74-1.01 chains nm(-2). The results of the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance indicate that the non-crosslinking nitroxide polymer brushes prevent the polymer from dissolving into organic electrolytes. Furthermore, the electrochemical results show that the discharge capacity of the polymer brushes is 84.9-111.1 mAh g(-1) at 10 C and the cells with the nitroxide polymer brush electrodes have a very good cycle-life performance of 96.3% retention after 300 cycles. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.