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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this species into the...

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,...

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,...

Adhesion

Adhesion

Adhesion occurs when one type of molecule is attracted to a different molecule. Water exhibits adhesive properties in the presence of polar surfaces, such as glass or cellulose in plants. For instance, when water is poured into a glass, the positively charged hydrogen molecules of water are more attracted to the negatively charged oxygen molecules in the silica than to the oxygen in neighboring water molecules.
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow glass...

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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.

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Chain-growth or addition polymerization is successive addition reactions of monomers with a polymer chain. In radical chain-growth polymerization, the reaction proceeds via a free-radical intermediate. The free radical is formed from radical initiators, which spontaneously generate free radicals by homolytic fission. Organic peroxides (such as dibenzoyl peroxide, as shown in Figure 1) or azo compounds are popular radical initiators. A low concentration ratio of radical initiator to monomer is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy

Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy

Published on: February 27, 2015

Pulling an adsorbed polymer chain off a solid surface.

S Bhattacharya¹, A Milchev, V G Rostiashvili

¹Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128 Mainz, Germany. bhattach@mpip-mainz.mpq.de

The European Physical Journal. E, Soft Matter

|July 16, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study investigates polymer chain detachment from surfaces using force measurements. Controlling chain height reveals distinct behaviors near the desorption transition compared to force control.

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Investigating Single Molecule Adhesion by Atomic Force Spectroscopy

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Area of Science:

Polymer physics
Surface science
Statistical mechanics

Background:

Understanding polymer adhesion and detachment is crucial for materials science and nanotechnology.
The behavior of polymers near surfaces is influenced by chain architecture and substrate interactions.
Previous studies often used force as a control parameter, potentially masking subtle transition dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the thermally assisted detachment of a self-avoiding polymer chain from an adhesive surface.
To explore the "fixed height" statistical ensemble for analyzing polymer-surface interactions.
To compare the effects of using height versus force as an independent control parameter.

Main Methods:

Analytical calculations.
Monte Carlo simulations.
"Fixed height" statistical ensemble measurements of fluctuating force.

Main Results:

A phase diagram in the height-adsorption strength plane was computed.
Distinct behaviors in fluctuations and probability distributions were observed near the polymer desorption transition.
The choice of control parameter (height vs. force) significantly impacts the observed properties.

Conclusions:

The "fixed height" ensemble provides a different perspective on polymer desorption transitions.
Controlling chain height offers unique insights into polymer-surface interactions compared to force control.
This approach is valuable for understanding polymer behavior at interfaces.