Controlled Radical Polymerization of Polymeric Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Controlled radical polymerization (CRP) techniques have revolutionized the synthesis of polymeric materials by enabling the precise control of molecular weight, dispersity, and chemical functionality. This breakthrough has led to the development of new materials with tailor-made properties and also facilitated the investigation of structure–property relationships in polymers. This Special Issue will cover a broad range of topics from fundamental research to industrial applications and will provide valuable insights into the latest developments in this field.

As a powerful method for producing well-defined polymers with controlled structures and properties, controlled radical polymerization (CRP) has made significant contributions to polymer science and technology. This approach has revolutionized the field of polymer chemistry and has led to the development of a wide range of new polymeric materials with tailored properties. The CRP techniques, including reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP), have been widely used to synthesize a variety of polymeric materials. These methods share the common feature of reversible deactivation of the growing polymer chain by controlling the concentration of radical initiators, monomers, and other reaction conditions. This topic aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms, kinetics, and thermodynamics involved in these techniques, as well as their applications in synthesizing complex polymeric structures with precise control over molecular weight, functionality, and architecture. This issue will also explore the use of CRP techniques in the design of advanced materials for applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and electronic/optoelectronic devices. By exploring the various CRP techniques and their applications, researchers can expand their knowledge and understanding of polymer science and develop innovative polymeric materials for a wide range of practical applications.

Dr. Xin Tong
Dr. Jihai Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• nitroxide-mediated polymerization
• atom transfer radical polymerization
• controlled synthesis
• reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization
• catalyst development
• stimuli-responsive polymers
• nanotechnology
• materials science