Hydrophobic modification of wood via surface-initiated ARGET ATRP of MMA

► ARGET ATRP is employed to graft MMA onto wood surface. ► Both the ratio of sacrificial initiator to the monomer and the polymerization time positively influence the amount of MMA polymer grafting. ► Hydrophobic wood surface with contact angles ranged from 101.5̊ to 130̊.