Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as a sustainable heterogeneous photocatalyst for metal free and oxygen-tolerant photo-atom transfer radical polymerization (photo-ATRP)

Graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4), as one of the green and efficient heterogeneous photocatalysts, is applied for photo atom transfer radical polymerization (photo-ATRP) without any additives. The polymerization was instantly switched on and off by blue LED. The polymer molecular weights and its distributions were controlled for methacrylate monomers up to fairly high conversions in many cases. The block copolymers were also obtained to demonstrate good end-group fidelity. Moreover, this g-C3N4 catalyzed photo-ATRP could be carried out in the presence of oxygen which implied good oxygen-tolerant. The catalytic efficiency of g-C3N4 almost did not reduce after seven times photo-ATRP recycling. Facile operation, oxygen tolerance and sustainability are advantages of this g-C3N4 catalyzed photo-ATRP.