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Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

Copolymers are the products obtained from the polymerization of multiple monomer species. So, in a polymer chain itself, there can be multiple repeating units that come from different monomers. The process of synthesizing a polymer from different monomer species is called copolymerization. When two monomers are involved, the polymer is known as a bipolymer. Polymers with three and four monomers are termed terpolymers and quaterpolymers, respectively. Figure 1 depicts the copolymerization of...

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

The polymerization process that involves carbanion as an intermediate is called anionic polymerization. It is also a type of addition or chain-growth polymerization. Anionic polymerization gets initiated by a strong nucleophile such as an organolithium or a Grignard reagent. The most commonly used initiator for anionic polymerization is butyl lithium. Monomers involved in anionic polymerization must possess a vinyl group bonded to one or two electron-withdrawing groups. For instance,...

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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers

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Morphology evolution in a diblock copolymer film.

Lixin Song¹, Yeng Ming Lam

¹School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

|January 30, 2007

Summary

Surface micelle morphology of polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-P4VP) diblock copolymers depends on concentration, transforming from spheres to cylinders. Film preparation conditions, like atmosphere, also influence structure, causing discrepancies between TEM and AFM observations.

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Gyroid Nickel Nanostructures from Diblock Copolymer Supramolecules

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Area of Science:

Polymer Science
Materials Science
Surface Chemistry

Background:

Diblock copolymers self-assemble into various morphologies.
Controlling copolymer nanostructure is crucial for advanced materials.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate the concentration-dependent surface micelle morphologies of PS-P4VP.
Examine the influence of casting solvents and atmosphere on film morphology.
Reconcile structural discrepancies between TEM and AFM.

Main Methods:

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for solution samples.
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for cast films.
Varying copolymer concentrations and casting conditions.

Main Results:

Spherical micelles observed at lower concentrations, transforming to cylindrical and multilayer structures at higher concentrations.
Discrepancies between TEM and AFM due to selective solvents in TEM samples.
Atmosphere-dependent film structures: cylindrical to spherical transformation under nitrogen, hexagonally ordered holes in air (possibly due to moisture).

Conclusions:

Solution concentration is a key factor in PS-P4VP micelle morphology.
Film preparation methods significantly impact nanostructure, necessitating careful technique selection.
Environmental factors like atmospheric moisture can influence self-assembly outcomes.