Light Induced Grafting-From Strategies As Powerful Tool For Surface Modification

Chemical-induced grafting processes can be performed either by a grafting-to method, where preformed polymer chains are grafted on the surface previously activated, or alternatively, the polymer chains can be grown from the surface via a grafting-from method. The last one can be considered a bottom-up approach in which polymers are generated directly on the surface starting from their precursors. As a preliminary process, the substrate is functionalized with specific groups that can initiate a polymerization reaction. Although surface-initiated polymerizations are conventionally induced by a thermal initiator or directly by radicals formed by high energy treatment of the surface, they can be triggered by light. In this regard, light-induced grafting reactions have recently found increasing interest. With this review, by placing emphasis on the initiating system, we aim to show the significant feasibility of photografting-from method to properly functionalize any type of surface.