Single-Step Grafting of a Thermoresponsive RAFT Polymer from Nanocellulose by Radical Decarboxylation.

ABSTRACT: The grafting of polymers in a single step from TEMPO-oxidized nanocellulose (TOCN) via controlled radical polymerization is reported here for the first time. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization is achieved through silver-mediated radical decarboxylation on the surface of the cellulose fibers in the presence of a RAFT precursor in a primarily water-based mixture. Electrochemical studies were performed to tune the redox properties of the silver-ligand complex and achieve an extremely high monomer conversion and grafting efficiency. This led to the grafting of a thermoresponsive polymer with low dispersity and controlled molecular weight, which in turn allowed for the tuning of the thermal properties of the nanocellulose-polymer composite. SANS analysis of t

SUBMITTER: Vidali G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12903466 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature