Synthesis of uniform polymer microspheres with “living” character using ppm levels of copper catalyst: ARGET atom transfer radical precipitation polymerisation

The first example of activators regenerated by electron transfer atom radical polymerisation (ARGET ATRP) under precipitation (PP) conditions is reported. This new method for polymer synthesis (called ARGET ATRPP) requires only very low levels metal catalyst success, a distinctive feature that enables the production uniform microspheres reversible-deactivation control. influence (monomer concentration, reaction time, initiator and concentrations) on polymerisations microsphere products were investigated optimised. ATRPP methodology was used to prepare with narrow particle size distributions mean diameters in micron-size range, dilute monomer (2%) whilst using copper concentrations (down 1.7 ppm). “living” characteristics enabled poly(methyl methacrylate) brushes be grafted-from directly without need any additional surface functionalisation step immobilise moieties.