The Research Status and Applications of Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Abstract

ATRP is one of the most active fields in polymer science. The feature of ATRP is chain propagation by way of transfer of halide atom with or without the catalysis of transition mental compounds. The termination reaction between radicals is reduced by low concentration of free radicals under the control of the fast transfer. A variety of monomers including styrene, acrylates, methacrylates, and dienes can be used in this technique. ATRP is a simple and inexpensive process for controlled "living" radical polymerization leading to well-defined homopolymers and copolymers. In this paper, the mechanism, initiator, catalyst systems, polymerization mediums and conditions of ATRP are introduced, the prospect of ATRP is also discussed.