Photo-Controlled Organocatalyzed Living Radical Polymerization and Its Application to Polymer Brush Synthesis on Surface

Abstract

This review briefly summarizes photo-controlled organocatalyzed living radical polymerization using alkyl iodides as initiators and organic molecules as catalysts. The polymerization was selectively controlled at desired wavelength by exploiting suitable catalysts in the 350-750 nm wavelength range. This range covers the whole visible region. The polymerization was applied to polymer brush synthesis on surfaces. Concentrated polymer brushes with high surface occupancy σ^* (e.g., 0.37) were obtained. A patterned brush was also fabricated.