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Related Concept Videos

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...
Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

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...
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,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers01:28

Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers

Synthetic polymers are classified as elastomers, fibers, or plastics based on their crystallinity. Crystallinity, the degree of long-range order in the solid state, influences the mechanical properties (stretching or contracting) of elastomers. Elastomers are flexible polymers that can expand or contract easily upon the application of an external force. They have numerous crosslinks that pull them back into their original shape when stress is removed. Silicones, for instance, are highly elastic...

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Fabricating Superhydrophobic Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications
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Published on: August 28, 2015

Composition dependent structural modulations in transparent poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels.

Siddhi Gupta1, Ashit Kumar Pramanik, Ansu Kailath

  • 1National Metallurgical Laboratory (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Jamshedpur, 831007, India.

Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|August 25, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study presents a novel method for synthesizing transparent Poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels at 0°C without toxic solvents. The process offers control over hydrogel structure and morphology via polymer concentration.

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Published on: January 19, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Science
  • Biomaterials

Background:

  • Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels are widely used due to their biocompatibility and mechanical properties.
  • Conventional synthesis often involves mixed solvents like DMSO or multiple freeze-thaw cycles, limiting applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a simpler, safer, and more efficient method for synthesizing transparent PVA hydrogels.
  • To investigate the influence of polymer concentration on the structural and morphological properties of the hydrogels.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of PVA hydrogels from aqueous polymer solutions at 0°C.
  • Characterization of hydrogel transparency, structure, and morphology.
  • Systematic variation of polymer concentration during synthesis.

Main Results:

  • Transparent and stable PVA hydrogels were successfully synthesized in pure water at 0°C.
  • Gelation occurred at a higher temperature (0°C) compared to traditional methods (-20°C).
  • Structural and morphological properties varied systematically with PVA concentration, while transparency was maintained.

Conclusions:

  • The developed method provides a facile and environmentally friendly route to transparent PVA hydrogels.
  • This approach offers tunable control over hydrogel properties by adjusting polymer concentration.
  • The findings are significant for applications requiring transparent and stable PVA hydrogels.