Reusable polymer brush-based photocatalysts for PET-RAFT polymerization

Abstract

Fluorescein polymer-brush functionalized glass beads synthesize polymers via photoelectron reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization. These shelf stable heterogeneous catalysts can be recycled after simple filtration.

Hydrolysis-resistant heterogeneous photocatalysts for PET-RAFT polymerization in aqueous environments

“…60 Beyond such immobilized monolayers, we recently reported on a photocatalyst polymer brushfunctionalized glass bead platform for light-mediated synthesis of small molecules and polymers via PET-RAFT. 61,62 Despite their promise, functionalized SiO x -surfaces as heterogeneous catalysts in water bear inherent limitations. First and foremost, the facile hydrolysis of the silane surface-anchor (-Si-O-) in water can cause leaching of photocatalysts (monomers or polymer brushes).…”

Thermoresponsive polymer brush photocatalytic substrates for wastewater remediation

“…The synthesis of dual responsive polymer brush photocatalytic materials was performed following our previously published surface-initiated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (SI-RAFT) polymerization approach (see ESI†). 64,65 The RAFT chain transfer agent (CTA) 4-cyano-4-[(dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonyl)sulfanyl] pentanoic acid (CDTPA) was immobilized on soda lime silica (SiO x ) glass beads ( D z = 76.3 μm) to afford SI-RAFT of a thermoresponsive copolymer comprised of 10 mol% fluorescein o -acrylate (FlA) in N -isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) (see Fig. 2a).…”

“…The synthesis of dual responsive polymer brush photocatalytic materials was performed following our previously published surface-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (SI-RAFT) polymerization approach (see ESI †). 64,65 The Fig. 2 (a) Illustration of the dual-responsive poly(fluorescein o-acrylate-co-N-isopropylacrylamide) heterogeneous catalysts and (b) comparing the experimental molecular weights from the free polymer formed in solution to increasing the thickness of poly(FlA-co-NIPAAm) on silicon wafers.…”

Photocontrolled RAFT polymerization: past, present, and future

“…9b). 245,246 The catalytic performance was comparable to that of their small molecule counterparts and was preserved after repeated recoveries. Moreover, after its conjugation to silica NPs, the stability of EY against photodegradation was enhanced.…”