Exploring the catalytic performance of recyclable zinc indium sulfide in polymer synthesis: Well-controlled photoATRP of acrylates

Zinc indium sulfide has been used as a heterogeneous recyclable photocatalyst in visible light-induced atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The photocatalyst was found to catalyze ATRP via an oxidative quenching mechanism without any additives. Polymers in high conversion and good control can be obtained. The kinetic study, light on/off experiment and the block copolymer synthesis showed the “living”/controlled nature of the polymerization. The photocatalyst can be reused for five times without obvious loss of control in the polymerization. Metal residue was not detected in the resulting polymers. This strategy provides a noval way for well-controlled polymer synthesis using recyclable visible light photocatalysis.