The polymer chemists have not yet polymerized 1,2-disubstituted ethylenes. A two-step process allows for the formation of uniform, defect-free films with thickness that can be controlled to within billionths of a meter. This process is environmentally friendly. It does not use any solvent. The energy requirement is also very low. The polymer will appear only where the light hits the monomer film.
Deposition-polymerization process takes place in a vacuum chamber, where the air is pumped out and the pressure is similar to outer space. The material to be coated, such as a piece of metal, is placed in the chamber, and the metal is cooled below the monomer's freezing point, which causes the monomer vapor to condense on the metal. Then the resulting film is exposed to ultraviolet light to initiate polymerization.
This technique of polymerization is not new but is in use for a few years. However the scientists have adopted this technique to develop very thin polymer films. Significant work is still required in order to get the properties of the novel polymers. Only the future will tell whether such polymers have commercial viability and good potential.