Gas-phase assisted surface polymerization of vinyl monomers with Fe-based initiating systems

Gas-phase assisted surface polymerization (GASP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) was investigated with Fe-based radical initiating systems, FeCl2/ 2,2'-bipyridine (Bpy)/methyl alpha-bromophenylacetate (MBPA), etc. GASP with these initiating systems proceeded to produce corresponding polymers on substrate surfaces. The resulting PMMA had very high PDI values, suggesting an uncontrolled reaction. In an attempt to control the GASP, polymerization with a simple initiating system, Fe(0)/MBPA, was examined on Fe(0)-metal surfaces, resulting in significant polymerization activity to produce high-molecular-weight PMMA. The results of time-course tests on GASP of MMA and St suggested that a change had taken place to produce physically controlled propagation sites on the Fe(0) powder surfaces.