Light‐Mediated Polymerization Catalyzed by Carbon Nanomaterials

Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials, specifically carbon dots and carbon nitrides, play a crucial role as heterogeneous photoinitiators in both radical and cationic polymerization processes. These recently introduced materials offer promising solutions to the limitations of current homogeneous systems, presenting a novel approach to photopolymerization. This review highlights the preparation and photocatalytic performance of these nanomaterials, emphasizing their application in various polymerization techniques, including photoinduced i) free radical, ii) RAFT, iii) ATRP, and iv) cationic photopolymerization. Additionally, it discusses their potential in addressing contemporary challenges and explores prospects in this field. Moreover, carbon nitrides, in particular, exhibit exceptional oxygen tolerance, underscoring their significance in radical polymerization processes and allowing their applications such as 3D printing, surface modification of coatings, and hydrogel engineering.

Nitrogen-doped carbon material NCM-T heterogeneously catalyzed liquid-phase hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline

“…The application of carbon materials in the eld of catalysis has recently garnered attention. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] However, the uniform charge distribution and inertness of carbon materials weaken their interaction with reactants, limiting their application as catalysts. Surface functionalization, doping with heteroatoms, and defects creation are the most commonly employed strategies for improving the catalytic properties of carbon materials.…”