Practical application of innovative, advanced color materials

Features of living radical polymerization Polymerization refers to the process of connecting low molecular weight compounds (monomers) in chemical reactions to produce thread-like high molecular weight compounds (polymers). Industries often use a method called radical polymerization. However, the length of produced polymers (molecular weights*) is not uniform and the structures of polymers cannot be controlled. Living radical polymerization is a method to overcome this disadvantage. This method can offer polymers with nearly uniform molecular weights and controlled structures (structurally controlled polymers). Such structurally controlled polymers can provide advanced polymer materials which can enrich our daily lives. Living radical polymerization is thus expected to serve as a powerful method for manufacturing high-value polymer products in a wide variety of industrial applications.