The progress in the synthesis of graft copolymers via controlled/living cationic polymerization and by three different synthetic strategies of grafting from
grafting onto and macromonomer
is reviewed. The influence of the chemical structures of macroinitiator
branched chain
macromonomer
distribution of initiating sites and functional groups along macromolecular chains
the length of branches and Lewis acids on grafting polymerization is summerized. The characteristics of the above three synthetic strategies of grafting from
grafting onto and macromonomer is proposed. The microstructure
morphologies and surrounding response property in the specific environment of the graft copolymers are further elaborated. The potential application of the graft copolymers are also discussed.