Dual Roles of Amino-Functionalized Silicon Quantum Dots (SiQDs) for Visible-Light-Induced Surface-Initiated PET-RAFT Polymerization on Substrates
Qi Wang, Lingjuan Hu, Zhe Cui, Peng Fu, Minying Liu, Xiaoguang Qiao, Xinchang Pang
Abstract
Silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) are explored for the first time as an efficient photocatalyst for visible-light-regulated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The fluorescence quenching confirmed the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between SiQDs and RAFT reagents. Besides all features of controlled radical polymerization, the SiQDs catalyzed PET-RAFT polymerization also exhibit good temporal control, high chain-end fidelity, and versatility with diverse monomers. Moreover, amino-functionalized SiQDs can be easily coated on the surface of substrates (silicon wafer) owing to the electrostatic interaction, and play a dual role of polymer-substrate connector and photocatalyst for the surface-initiated PET-RAFT polymerization. The SiQD-coated wafer was also proved to be an efficient recycle photocatalyst for PET-RAFT polymerization.