Straightforward catalyst/solvent-free iodine-mediated living radical polymerization of functional monomers driven by visible light irradiation.

A simple and highly efficient visible-light induced iodine-mediated living radical polymerization system for functional monomers (DMAEMA, PEGMA and GMA) was successfully developed in bulk without the addition of any catalysts for the first time. In addition, sunlight was also applicable for the construction of this photoinduced bulk living radical polymerization.