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Related Concept Videos

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers01:24

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...
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael acceptor.
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

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: Overview01:20

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,...
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...

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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
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Asymmetric superstructure formed in a block copolymer via phase separation.

Klaus-Viktor Peinemann1, Volker Abetz, Peter F W Simon

  • 1Institut für Polymerforschung, GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany.

Nature Materials
|November 6, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed a fast, one-step method for creating highly ordered isoporous membranes using block copolymer self-assembly and phase separation. This innovation simplifies production and enhances separation capabilities.

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Using Polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid)-coated Metal Nanoparticles as Monomers for Their Homo- and Co-polymerization
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Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
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Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
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Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives

Published on: February 7, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Membrane Technology

Background:

  • Amphiphilic block copolymer self-assembly is key for ordered structures.
  • Isoporous membranes are a significant application, but face challenges in long-range order and scalability.
  • Current methods are often time-consuming and difficult to scale up.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a novel, simple method for preparing isoporous membranes with nanometer-sized pores.
  • To combine established non-solvent-induced phase separation with block copolymer self-assembly.
  • To overcome limitations in order and scalability of current membrane preparation techniques.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized industrially established non-solvent-induced phase separation.
  • Integrated the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers into the process.
  • Developed a straightforward, one-step membrane formation procedure.

Main Results:

  • Successfully created integral asymmetric membranes from block copolymers.
  • Achieved a highly ordered thin layer atop a non-ordered, sponge-like layer.
  • Demonstrated a fast and simple one-step procedure for membrane fabrication.

Conclusions:

  • The developed method offers a significant advancement in isoporous membrane preparation.
  • The new technique is fast, scalable, and produces membranes with potential for highly selective separation.
  • This approach integrates self-assembly with established industrial processes for efficient membrane fabrication.