Chemical Society Seminar: - Krzysztof Matyjaszewski-Macromolecular Engineering by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Abstract:

Macromolecular Engineering (ME) is a process comprising rational design of (co)polymers with specific architecture and functionality, followed by precise and efficient polymer synthesis and processing to prepare advanced materials with target properties. Many advanced nanostructured functional materials were recently designed and prepared by reversible deactivation radical polymerization. Copper-based ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization) catalytic systems with polydentate nitrogen ligands are among most efficient reversible deactivation radical polymerization systems.Recently, by applying new initiating/catalytic systems, Cu level in ATRP was reduced to a few ppm. ATRP of acrylates, methacrylates, styrenes, acrylamides, acrylonitrile and other vinyl monomers was controlled by various external stimuli, including electrical current, light, mechanical forces and ultrasound, also in the presence of air. Various copolymers, molecular brushes, hybrid materials and bioconjugates were prepared with high precision. Special emphasis will be on nanostructured multifunctional hybrid materials for application related to biology, environment, and energy.

Bio:

Krzysztof (Kris) Matyjaszewski is J.C. Warner University Professor of Natural Sciences and director of Center for Macromolecular Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. His research is focused on synthesis of well-defined macromolecules and hybrid materials via controlled polymerizations using radical, and ionic mechanisms to prepare advanced materials for optoelectronic, biomedical, environmental and energy-related applications. In 1994 he discovered Cu-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization, commercialized in 2004 in US, Japan and Europe to prepare various advanced materials. He has co-authored >1,200 peer-reviewed publications, cited >175,000 times (h-index 203) and holds 66 US patents. He is a member of National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Inventors as well as European, Australian, Polish and Hungarian Academies of Sciences. He received 2021 Grand Prix de la Fondation de la Maison de la Chimie, 2017 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry, 2015 Dreyfus Prize in Chemical Sciences, 2011 Wolf Prize in Chemistry, 2009 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, as well as eleven honorary degrees.