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Related Concept Videos

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching01:17

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

The skeletal structure of polymers synthesized via radical polymerization is always branched. For example, the polymerization of ethylene by radical polymerization results in a low-density grade of polyethylene with a heavily branched skeletal structure. Here, the radical site abstracts hydrogen from the growing chain, and the radical site shifts from the end (a primary carbon center) to anywhere within the growing chain (a secondary carbon center). Consequently, the part of the chain from the...
Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this species into the...
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:10

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Chain-growth or addition polymerization is successive addition reactions of monomers with a polymer chain. In radical chain-growth polymerization, the reaction proceeds via a free-radical intermediate. The free radical is formed from radical initiators, which spontaneously generate free radicals by homolytic fission. Organic peroxides (such as dibenzoyl peroxide, as shown in Figure 1) or azo compounds are popular radical initiators. A low concentration ratio of radical initiator to monomer is...
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...

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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

3D Printing and In Situ Surface Modification via Type I Photoinitiated Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization
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3D Printing and In Situ Surface Modification via Type I Photoinitiated Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization

Published on: February 18, 2022

Surface-Initiated Hydrogen Atom Transfer Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization from

Anna E Ringuette1, Gozde Aktas Eken2, Amaya B Garnenez1

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, United States.

Macromolecules
|June 1, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A new method uses visible light to grow polymer brushes on isotactic polypropylene (iPP) surfaces. This technique simplifies iPP functionalization for diverse applications like biomedical materials and packaging.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Surface Science

Background:

  • Functionalizing isotactic polypropylene (iPP) surfaces with polymer brushes is crucial for advanced applications.
  • Current methods often involve multiple steps or harsh conditions like gamma irradiation.
  • Developing efficient and mild surface modification techniques for iPP is highly desirable.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel, single-step method for grafting polymer brushes onto iPP surfaces.
  • To utilize visible light as a stimulus for controlled polymerization initiation from iPP's C-H bonds.
  • To demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of the new method on commercial iPP materials.

Main Methods:

  • Surface-initiated hydrogen atom transfer reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (SI HAT-RAFT) was employed.
  • Visible light photoredox catalysis using a thioxanthone derivative initiated polymerization from iPP C-H bonds.
  • Various acrylic monomers were grafted, and the process was applied to commercial iPP samples.

Main Results:

  • Thick polymer brushes were successfully grown on iPP surfaces under mild, visible-light conditions.
  • The SI HAT-RAFT method demonstrated effectiveness on commercial iPP, including food packaging and surgical mesh.
  • Grafted polymer surfaces exhibited improved adhesion properties to paint and aluminum.

Conclusions:

  • Visible-light-initiated SI HAT-RAFT provides an efficient and versatile route for iPP surface functionalization.
  • This method overcomes limitations of traditional techniques, enabling broader applications for iPP.
  • The developed approach is poised to become a key technology for advanced iPP material development.