Buckminsterfullerene C70 Laser Initiated Radical Polymerization

Key Points

• This research aims to investigate the use of Buckminsterfullerene C70 as a radical initiator for polymerization.
• Irradiation of C70 with a blue laser from outside the reaction vessel.
• Generation of carbon radicals in the form of C70-radical.
• Polymerization of styrene initiated by the generated C70-radical.
• Characterization of the resultant poly(styrene) using infrared spectroscopy.
• Formation of C70-radical observed following blue laser irradiation.
• Successful initiation of styrene polymerization with C70-radical.
• Resultant poly(styrene) confirmed via infrared spectroscopy.
• Number-average molecular weight of the poly(styrene) measured at 7.8×104.