Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2025

3D Printing and In Situ Surface Modification via Type I Photoinitiated Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization
Published on: February 18, 2022
Galvanic-Replacement-Assisted Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Functional Polymer Brush
Xiaodong Yin1,2, Daheng Wu1, Haoyong Yang1,2
1Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Related Technologies, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Protective Technologies, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China.
Abstract:
Here we present a facile and robust strategy, namely, galvanic-replacement-assisted surface-initiated Cu(0)-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (gr-SI-Cu0ATRP, or gr-SI-Cu0CRP) for polymer brush engineering under ambient conditions. In gr-SI-Cu0ATRP, highly active and nanostructured Cu(0) surfaces are obtained by a simple galvanic replacement on zinc/aluminum surfaces in dilute Cu2+ solution. Polymer brush growth rate is extremely high (up to ∼904 nm in 30 min polymerization); meanwhile, both nano Cu(0) surfaces and Cu2+ solution can be reused multiple times without losing grafting efficiency. We also demonstrate that the gr-SI-Cu0ATRP is advantageous for polymer brush engineering on arbitrary substrates, including flexible (polyethylene terephthalate), curved (polycarbonate), and porous (anodic aluminum oxide), and endow the substrates with various functionalities, for example, anti-icing, antifogging, and ion selectivity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

