Surface‐Initiated Controlled Radical Polymerization in Ordered Mesoporous Silicas

Abstract

Abstract Recent advances in the synthesis of well‐defined high‐surface‐area mesoporous silica/polymer composites via surface‐initiated polymerization (“grafting from” method) and via attachment of preformed polymer chains (“grafting to” method) to surfaces of ordered mesoporous silicas (OMSs) are reviewed in the context of related research areas. Prior work on polymerizations in nanoscale confinements of OMSs is outlined and surface‐initiated polymerization in disordered mesoporous silicas is briefly discussed. Early work on the surface‐initiated radical polymerization initiated from OMS surface is reviewed and recent work involving OMS supports with large mesopores is discussed to illustrate the ability to form well‐defined polymer brushes in nanopores using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The synthesis of polymer brushes in mesopores through the combination of ATRP or other polymerizations and the “click” chemistry is also outlined.