The application of microwave irradiation in polymer syntheses and modifications is of continuously growing interest and has received significant international interest since the beginning of the millennium. Preceded by a review that was published 6 years ago, the present paper summarizes the most recent trends in this research area. Radical as well as step-growth and ring-opening polymerizations will be addressed; furthermore, the evolution from microwave-assisted polymerizations to microwave-assisted material fabrication will be described on the examples of polymeranalogous reactions, polymer/metal composites and bio-based materials.
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