RAFT Polymerisation Technology

RAFT Polymerisation Technology

RAFT (Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer) technology is a sophisticated form of controlled free radical polymerisation.

Often referred to as ‘living polymerisation’, RAFT polymerisation can be stopped and restarted at anytime, this revolutionary technology enables the synthesis of tailored polymers with unprecedented control over composition and architecture.

 

RAFT technology is easily scaleable utilizing conventional processing equipment, and offers the polymer chemist the benefit of being able to more readily synthesise polymers:

  • with predetermined molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distributions with a wide range of monomers and reaction conditions
  • with reactive terminal groups that can be purposely manipulated, including further polymerisation,
  • with complex architecture, including:

RAFT technology can be used with a wide range of monomers and monomer mixtures, and can be used in all modes of free radical polymerisation, including:

  • solution
  • emulsion
  • suspension polymerizations.

With freedom of this degree, the polymer chemist can produce an unlimited array of tailored polymeric compositions and complex architectures under standard conditions.

Raft is very broadly applicable to polymers particularily in the areas of industrial, personal care, agriculture and biomedical polymers where higher order functionality is required. These versatile, low odour, low cost RAFT Agents are now available in gram to metric tonne quantities. The RAFT Agents – Selection Table  is designed to assist the RAFT Technology user to choose the right RAFT Agent to ensure the best polymerization outcome. You could purchase RAFT Agents in our catalogue.

Boron Molecular is licensed by the Australian National Science Agency, the CSIRO, to manufacture and supply both research and commercial quantities of RAFT agents worldwide. This will ensure the RAFT technology is accessible to the polymer industry to take developments from the early development right through to commercialisation opening the up the market place to new applications.

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