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Atom transfer radical polymerization initiated from a surface of various substrates (SI-ATRP) has become a progressively popular technique for obtaining thin polymer films with predetermined properties. The present work addresses the main features of SI-ATRP with respect to the controllability, rates of polymerization, suitable monomers, reaction mixture compositions etc. An alternative potential-driven polymerization approach is discussed, although to a smaller extent.

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Sergey Chernyy obtained his MSc degree in polymer chemistry from Saint Petersburg State University, Russia in 2009 and shortly thereafter started his PhD program in Aarhus University, Denmark (2009-2012). S. Chernyy is currently working as a Postdoc at Technical University of Denmark.

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