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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: 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,...
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,...
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,...
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,...

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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

Block copolymers with a twist.

Rong-Ming Ho1, Yeo-Wan Chiang, Chun-Ku Chen

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan. rmho@mx.nthu.edu.tw

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|December 24, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers discovered a new helical phase (H*) in chiral block copolymers (BCPs*). This self-assembly of poly(styrene)-b-poly(l-lactide) (PS-PLLA) BCPs* creates unique twisted architectures.

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Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
06:55

Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level

Published on: September 26, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Science
  • Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

  • Chiral block copolymers (BCPs*) offer unique self-assembly capabilities.
  • Designing helical architectures from BCPs* is a key challenge in materials science.
  • Understanding chiral interactions is crucial for controlling polymer morphology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design and investigate chiral block copolymers for helical architecture fabrication.
  • To discover and characterize novel self-assembled helical phases.
  • To establish the phase behavior and stability of chiral BCPs*.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of poly(styrene)-b-poly(l-lactide) (PS-PLLA) chiral block copolymers.
  • Electron tomography for direct visualization of self-assembled nanostructures.
  • Phase diagram determination through annealing studies.
  • Estimation of interaction parameters to quantify chiral effects.

Main Results:

  • Discovery of a new helical phase (H*) with P622 symmetry in PS-PLLA BCPs*.
  • Direct visualization of hexagonally packed, interdigitated PLLA helical microdomains within a PS matrix.
  • Establishment of the PS-PLLA BCPs* phase diagram.
  • Observation of phase transitions from H* to cylinder and gyroid phases, indicating H* is a metastable phase.

Conclusions:

  • Chiral block copolymers can self-assemble into novel helical architectures.
  • The H* phase represents a significant advancement in understanding chiral BCP self-assembly.
  • Chiral interactions significantly influence block copolymer incompatibility and morphology, offering pathways for advanced material design.