LAUSR

Silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) are explored for the first time as an efficient photocatalysts for visible-light-regulated reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The fluorescence quenching confirmed the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between SiQDs and RAFT reagents. Besides all features of controlled radical polymerization, the SiQDs catalyzed PET-RAFT polymerization also exhibit good temporal control, high chain-end fidelity and versatility with diverse monomers. Moreover, amino functionalized SiQDs can be easily coated on the surface of substrates (silicon wafer) owing to the electrostatic interaction, and play dual role of polymer-substrate connector and photocatlyst for the surface-initiated PET-RAFT polymerization. The SiQDs-coated wafer was also proved to be an efficient recycle photocatalyst for PET-RAFT polymerization.