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Facile synthesis of gradient copolymers enabled by droplet-flow photo-controlled reversible deactivation radical polymerization

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Abstract

Monomer sequence influences the properties and applications of polymers. Consequently, massive efforts have been made to implement sequence control of polymers. In this work, we developed a computer-aided droplet-flow polymerization based on photo-controlled reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (photo-RDRP), enabling synthesis of gradient copolymers of tunable sequential arrangements, low dispersity and good structural fidelity from various monomers without following their intrinsic reactivities, which is a key limitation in sequence control. The obtained gradient copolymers exhibit unique thermal properties and stimulus responsiveness comparing with the random and block counterparts, and their glass transition behaviour could be regulated by the gradient tendency. We believe that the unprecedented gradient photo-RDRP based on flow synthesis opens a robust and versatile avenue to streamline the synthesis of well-defined gradient polymers, and is compatible with other polymerization mechanisms.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21704016, 21971044).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China

    Yang Zhou, Shantao Han, Yu Gu & Mao Chen

Authors
  1. Yang Zhou
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  2. Shantao Han
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  3. Yu Gu
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  4. Mao Chen
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Correspondence to Mao Chen.

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Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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11426_2020_9946_MOESM1_ESM.pdf

Facile synthesis of gradient copolymers enabled by droplet-flow photo-controlled reversible deactivation radical polymerization

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Zhou, Y., Han, S., Gu, Y. et al. Facile synthesis of gradient copolymers enabled by droplet-flow photo-controlled reversible deactivation radical polymerization. Sci. China Chem. 64, 844–851 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-020-9946-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-020-9946-8

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