The photoelectrochemical initiation of polymerization of styrene

A TiO₂ semiconductor was immersed in a solution that contained styrene monomer and a supporting electrolyte. Polymer was formed when light was focused on the semiconductor. The yield was a function of the bias level maintained at the semiconductor elecotrode. With methylmethacrylate monomer direct photoinitiation of the monomer occurred, but the polymer yield could be reduced by varying the electrode potential.