Reduction of the rate retardation effect in bulk RAFT radical polymerization under an externally applied magnetic field

Abstract

Bulk RAFT radical polymerization of (2-cyano-2-propyl) dithiobenzoate/styrene was performed under an externally applied magnetic field (EAMF) to explore a universal method to reduce the rate retardation effect. Under a tunable EAMF, the rate of RAFT polymerization is enhanced and the optimal EAMF intensity is found to be 0.1 T. Experimental observation in this work offers an efficient method for enhancing the rate of various RAFT radical polymerizations.