Vinyl-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were prepared by surface polymerization of vinyl-functionalized ligands induced by carboxy-functionalized radical initiators followed by vinyl-transformation of the carboxy-group. These AuNP were regarded as artificial molecules as they were used as comonomers for the free radical copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA). Successful copolymerization was proven by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and by thermogravimetrical analysis (TGA). Further analysis of the novel hybrid material was carried out by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and by atomic force microscopy (AFM) to proof the presence of AuNP and their arrangement. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.