Photografting: a method for surface modification

Photografting enables the covalent modification of a wide variety of surfaces-including polymers, metals, carbons, and oxides-through irradiation of a surface-deposited solution. This process involves the generation of highly reactive species-most commonly radicals, but also carbenes and nitrenes-that react with surface sites. A range of precursor compounds can be employed, such as vinyl monomers (with or without initiators), diazonium salts, and azides. This review summarizes the fundamental principles and mechanisms of photografting, emphasizing the roles of different precursors, initiators, and substrates, with particular attention to recent advances. Moreover, it highlights the broad spectrum of applications of this method, including the grafting of biological molecules, antifouling coatings, and surface patterning, as well as developments reported in recent patents.