Near Infrared Light Induced Radical Polymerization in Water

Abstract: We introduce a gold nanorod (AuNR) driven methodology to induce free radical polymerization in water with near infrared light (800 nm). The process exploits photothermal conversion in AuNR and subsequent heat transfer to a radical initiator (here azobisisobutyronitrile) for primary radical generation. A broad range of reaction conditions were investigated, demonstrating control over molecular weight and reaction conversion of dimethylacrylamide polymers, using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We underpin our experimental data with finite element simulation of the spatio‐temporal temperature profile surrounding the AuNR directly after femtosecond laser pulse excitation. Critically, we evidence that polymerization can be induced through biological tissues given the enhanced penetration depth of the near infrared light. We submit that the presented initiation mechanism in aqueous systems holds promise for radical polymerization in biological environments, including cells.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Near Infrared Light Induced Radical Polymerization in Water ; day:06 ; month:09 ; year:2022 ; extent:1 ; Angewandte Chemie / International edition. International edition ; (06.09.2022) (gesamt 1)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Neidinger, Philipp ; Davis, Joshua ; Voll, Dominik ; Jaatinen, Esa A. ; Walden, Sarah L. ; Unterreiner, Andreas-Neil ; Barner-Kowollik, Christopher

Further information

• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202209177
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022090715134871069929
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:37 AM CEST