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Review
. 2024 Apr 23;17(9):1947.
doi: 10.3390/ma17091947.

Using RAFT Polymerization Methodologies to Create Branched and Nanogel-Type Copolymers

Athanasios Skandalis  1 , Theodore Sentoukas  2 , Dimitrios Selianitis  1 , Anastasia Balafouti  1 , Stergios Pispas  1
Affiliations
Review

Using RAFT Polymerization Methodologies to Create Branched and Nanogel-Type Copolymers

Athanasios Skandalis et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

This review aims to highlight the most recent advances in the field of the synthesis of branched copolymers and nanogels using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. RAFT polymerization is a reversible deactivation radical polymerization technique (RDRP) that has gained tremendous attention due to its versatility, compatibility with a plethora of functional monomers, and mild polymerization conditions. These parameters lead to final polymers with good control over the molar mass and narrow molar mass distributions. Branched polymers can be defined as the incorporation of secondary polymer chains to a primary backbone, resulting in a wide range of complex macromolecular architectures, like star-shaped, graft, and hyperbranched polymers and nanogels. These subcategories will be discussed in detail in this review in terms of synthesis routes and properties, mainly in solutions.

Keywords: RAFT polymerization; branched; copolymers; grafts; hyperbranched; nanogels; stars.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of grafting techniques.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Simple schematic representation of the work of Corrigan et al. [44].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Schematic representation of star polymer synthesis routes.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic illustration of a typical star-shaped block copolymer.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Schematic illustration of hyperbranched block copolymer synthesis starting from multifunctional monomers, and R- or a Z-modified RAFT CTA.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Schematic illustration of different types of formed nanogels.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Potential applications of branched copolymers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.
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