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Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

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...

Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers

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...

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...

Polymers

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,...

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...

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Homopolymers

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Homopolymers

Polymers that are made up of identical monomer units are called homopolymers. Only one repeating unit is involved in the construction of the homopolymer structure. For example, as depicted in Figure 1, polypropylene is a homopolymer constituted of propylene monomers. Here, the only repeating unit in the polymer chain is propylene.

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Updated: May 18, 2026

Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold

Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold

Published on: October 23, 2015

Porous inorganic-organic shape memory polymers.

Dawei Zhang¹, William L Burkes, Cody A Schoener

¹Materials Science and Engineering Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3120, USA.

|September 8, 2012

Summary

Researchers developed novel inorganic-organic shape memory polymer (SMP) foams using polydimethylsiloxane and poly(ε-caprolactone) segments. These tunable SMP foams exhibit excellent shape memory properties for advanced applications.

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Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold

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Published on: October 23, 2015

Shape Memory Polymers for Active Cell Culture

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Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites

Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites

Published on: February 6, 2016

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Chemistry
Biomedical Engineering

Background:

Thermoresponsive shape memory polymers (SMPs) transition from a temporary to a permanent shape upon heating.
While typically solid, porous SMP foams offer unique properties suitable for biomedical applications.
Existing SMP foams are limited to organic polymer systems.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop novel inorganic-organic SMP foams with tunable properties.
To explore the potential of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) segments in SMP foam fabrication.
To investigate a refined solvent-casting/particulate-leaching (SCPL) method for creating interconnected porous structures.

Main Methods:

Photochemical cure of a diacrylated PCL-PDMS-PCL macromer.
Utilized a refined solvent-casting/particulate-leaching (SCPL) method.
Varied parameters including salt fusion, macromer concentration, and salt particle size.

Main Results:

Successfully prepared inorganic-organic SMP foams with excellent shape memory behavior.
Achieved tunable pore size, pore morphology, and modulus by adjusting fabrication parameters.
Demonstrated the feasibility of combining PDMS and PCL segments for advanced SMP foam design.

Conclusions:

The developed inorganic-organic SMP foams offer a promising new class of materials.
The refined SCPL method allows for precise control over foam architecture and properties.
These SMP foams hold potential for various applications, particularly in the biomedical field, due to their tunable nature and stimuli-responsive behavior.