Figure 5: Formation of different structures via in situ DE-ATRP.

(a) Formation of HB structure; (b) Formation of ‘single cyclized’ structure. Three parameters are considered: the growth boundary (dotted circle), chain dimension (red shaded part) and chain concentration. The growth boundary, which confines the possible number of vinyl groups reacted within its active lifetime during the propagation process, could change the selectivity of vinyl groups attacked by the propagation centre. The probability of intermolecular combination decreases with distance between an active propagation centre and another polymer chain, which is strongly dependent on the chain dimension and chain concentration.