Microwave-assisted nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization of styrene

The first single-mode microwave-assisted nitroxide-mediated radical polymerizations (NMRP) of styrene in bulk were successfully performed. The results showed that the polymerization proceeded in a controlled way. The power of microwave irradiation has considerable effect on the polymerization rate. The polymerization rates under appropriate power of microwave irradiation were faster than that under conventional heating (CH) at the same polymerization temperature. The living nature of the polymer was proved by successful chain extension polymerization and 1H NMR spectrum analysis.