Beyond Traditional RAFT Polymerization: Emerging Strategies and Future Perspectives; A Third Update.

Journal: Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
Published Date: Jan 14, 2026

Abstract

Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization has undergone transformative growth since its inception in 1998, emerging as a powerful and versatile tool for precision polymer synthesis. This review highlights the latest developments in non-traditional RAFT polymerization from 2020 to 2025, capturing major innovations in activation techniques and expanding applications. Key emerging directions include the integration of RAFT into smart synthesis platforms powered by artificial intelligence, enabling high-throughput and autonomous polymer discovery, and innovations in RAFT depolymerization that support sustainable plastic recycling. With RAFT increasingly accessible to diverse materials science domains, this review provides a forward-looking perspective on the evolving capabilities and future potential of RAFT polymerization.

Authors

  • Vianna F Jafari
    Polymer Science Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia.
  • James L Grace
    Polymer Science Group, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
  • Jiajia Li
    Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China.
  • Joji Tanaka
    Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
  • Glen R Jones
    Laboratory of Sustainable Polymers, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
  • Athina Anastasaki
    Laboratory of Sustainable Polymers, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
  • Wei You
  • Jian Zhu
  • Masami Kamigaito
    Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
  • Cyrille Boyer
    School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  • Greg G Qiao
    Polymer Science Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia.

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