This Perspective summarizes the features and limitations of reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses, as our understanding of the process, from both a mechanistic and an application point of view, has matured over the past 20 years. It is aimed at both experts in the field and newcomers, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as nonexperts in polymerization who are interested in developing their own polymeric structures by exploiting the simple setup of a RAFT polymerization.

50th Anniversary Perspective: RAFT Polymerization—A User Guide

In 1968, Heskins and Guillet published the first systematic study of the phase diagram of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), at the time a “young polymer” first synthesized in 1956. Since then, PNIPAM became the leading member of the growing families of thermoresponsive polymers and of stimuli-responsive, “smart” polymers in general. Its thermal response is unanimously attributed to its phase behavior. Yet, in spite of 50 years of research, a coherent quantitative picture remains elusive. In this Review we survey the reported phase diagrams, discuss the differences and comment on theoretical ideas regarding their possible origins. We aim to alert the PNIPAM community to open questions in this reputably mature domain.

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Phase Diagrams: Fifty Years of Research.

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization and the synthesis of water-soluble (co)polymers under homogeneous conditions in organic and aqueous media

A radiation sensitive resin composition comprising (A) a fluorine-containing copolymer of hexafluoropropylene, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of unsaturated carboxylic acids and unsaturated carboxylic anhydrides, and an unsaturated compound (B) an acid generating compound which generates an acid upon exposure to radiation; (C) a cross-linkable compound; and (D) an organic solvent. The composition suitable is useful for a negative resist for forming a mask for the production of a circuit such as a semiconductor integrated circuit or a thin film transistor circuit for liquid crystal displays as well as a material for forming a permanent film such as an interlaminar insulating film or a color filter protective film.

Radiation-sensitive resin composition

Copper chromite particles can advantageously be used as black particles in electrophoretic media and displays. Preferably, the copper chromite particles are coated with a silica coating and a polymer coating.

Electrophoretic particles and processes for the production thereof

The invention concerns a method for polymerising block polymers of general formula (I) which consists in contacting: an ethylenically unsaturated monomer of formula: CYY'(=CW-CW')a=CH2; a precursor compound of general formula (II); a radical polymerisation catalyst.

Method for block polymer synthesis by controlled radical polymerisation

The invention concerns a method for preparing, by radical polymerisation, block polymers of general formula (I), which consists in contacting: an ethylenically unsaturated monomer of formula CYY' (=CW-CW')a = CH2; a precursor compound of general formula (II); a radical polymerisation initiator.

Synthesis method for block polymers by controlled radical polymerisation from dithioester compounds

A polymer produced by polymerizing via water-in-oil emulsion polymerization one or more water soluble monomers with one or more polyalkoxylated monomers wherein said one or more polyalkoxylated monomers contains at least 25 alkylene oxide units and wherein said product demonstrates thermothickening properties, its method of manufacture and use thereof is disclosed.

Polymers which exhibit thermothickening properties and process making same

The invention concerns the use as thermo-thickeners of multi-block copolymers of general formula (I) or (II), in which: E designates a polyoxyalkylene sequence, each alkylene member having at most 6 carbon atoms; A designates a water-soluble polymer sequence produced from at least one monomer selected from ethylene monomers; X is a sulphur or oxygen atom; Y is an oxygen atom or an -N-R' group, R' being a linear or branched alkyl group optionally comprising at least one heteroatom and a tertiary amine group, or a C3-C8 cycloalkyl radical, or an aryl, aralkyl or alkylaryl group; R is a linear or branched alkyl, aralkyl or alkylaryl group; and n is such that the molecular mass of the multi-block copolymers Mp is greater than 250 000 g/mol.

Use of multi-block copolymers as thermo-thickeners

Poly- and macroxanthates, that is to say macromolecular chains incorporating at least one xanthate disulphide group and processes for the preparation of these compounds Use of a compound according to the invention in radical polymerisation of vinyl monomers, and the vinyl polymers thus obtained

Charmot Dominique

Papers

Method for block polymer synthesis by controlled radical polymerisation

Synthesis method for block polymers by controlled radical polymerisation from dithioester compounds

Polymers which exhibit thermothickening properties and process making same

Use of multi-block copolymers as thermo-thickeners

Polymers with xanthate disulphide groups and process for their preparation