From UV to NIR: A Full-Spectrum Metal-Free Photocatalyst for Efficient Polymer Synthesis in Aqueous Conditions

Stephanie Allison-Logan; Qiang Fu; Yongkang Sun; Min Liu; Jijia Xie; Junwang Tang; Greg G Qiao

doi:10.1002/anie.202007196

From UV to NIR: A Full-Spectrum Metal-Free Photocatalyst for Efficient Polymer Synthesis in Aqueous Conditions

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2020 Nov 23;59(48):21392-21396. doi: 10.1002/anie.202007196. Epub 2020 Sep 15.

Authors

Stephanie Allison-Logan¹, Qiang Fu^{1

2}, Yongkang Sun¹, Min Liu¹, Jijia Xie³, Junwang Tang³, Greg G Qiao¹

Affiliations

¹ Polymer Science Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
² Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater (CTWW), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
³ Solar Energy & Advanced Materials Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E JE, UK.

PMID: 32761677
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202007196

Abstract

Photo-mediation offers unparalleled spatiotemporal control over controlled radical polymerizations (CRP). Photo-induced electron/energy transfer reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization is particularly versatile owing to its oxygen tolerance and wide range of compatible photocatalysts. In recent years, broadband- and near-infrared (NIR)-mediated polymerizations have been of particular interest owing to their potential for solar-driven chemistry and biomedical applications. In this work, we present the first example of a novel photocatalyst for both full broadband- and NIR-mediated CRP in aqueous conditions. Well-defined polymers were synthesized in water under blue, green, red, and NIR light irradiation. Exploiting the oxygen tolerant and aqueous nature of our system, we also report PET-RAFT polymerization at the microliter scale in a mammalian cell culture medium.

Keywords: NIR; RAFT polymerization; photocatalysis; photopolymerization.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't