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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,...

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Ziegler–Natta polymerization is another form of addition or chain‐growth polymerization used for synthesizing linear polymers over branched polymers. The catalyst used for polymerization is the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, named after Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta, who developed it in 1953. This catalyst is an organometallic complex of titanium tetrachloride and triethyl aluminum, with the active form of the catalyst being an alkyl titanium compound. Using the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, high molecular...

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Recently, the development of olefin metathesis polymerization advanced the field of polymer synthesis. Simply put, the reorganization of substituents on their double bonds between two olefins in the presence of a catalyst is known as the olefin metathesis reaction. The use of metathesis reaction for polymer synthesis is called olefin metathesis polymerization.
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

The skeletal structure of polymers synthesized via radical polymerization is always branched. For example, the polymerization of ethylene by radical polymerization results in a low-density grade of polyethylene with a heavily branched skeletal structure. Here, the radical site abstracts hydrogen from the growing chain, and the radical site shifts from the end (a primary carbon center) to anywhere within the growing chain (a secondary carbon center). Consequently, the part of the chain from the...

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization or ROMP involves strained cycloalkenes as starting materials. The mechanism of ROMP proceeds by reacting cycloalkene with Grubbs catalyst to give metallacyclobutane intermediate which undergoes a ring-opening reaction to form new carbene. The new carbene reacts with another molecule of cycloalkene. Repetition of these steps leads to the formation of an unsaturated open-chain polymer product. All these steps are reversible, however, relieving the ring...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Advanced Compositional Analysis of Nanoparticle-polymer Composites Using Direct Fluorescence Imaging

Advanced Compositional Analysis of Nanoparticle-polymer Composites Using Direct Fluorescence Imaging

Published on: July 19, 2016

Restructuring polymers via nanoconfinement and subsequent release.

Alan E Tonelli¹

¹Fiber & Polymer Science Program, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 8391, Raleigh, NC, 27695-8301, USA.

Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry

|September 29, 2012

Summary

Small-molecule hosts create nanostructured polymers via inclusion complexes (ICs). Removing hosts yields coalesced polymers with unique properties, retaining extended, unentangled chain structures for distinct behaviors.

Keywords:

cyclodextrins inclusion compounds nanoconfinement organization polymers properties release urea

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Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Materials Science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Small-molecule hosts are used to create nanostructured polymers.
Inclusion complexes (ICs) are formed between hosts and guest polymers.
Host removal yields coalesced bulk polymers with unique properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize behaviors and uses of coalesced polymers.
To explore the relationship between polymer behavior and structure after coalescence.
To understand how host-guest complexation influences polymer properties.

Main Methods:

Formation of noncovalently bonded inclusion complexes (ICs) between small-molecule hosts and guest polymers.
Crystallization of ICs, confining polymer chains in host-defined channels.
Careful removal of the host crystalline lattice to obtain coalesced bulk polymers.

Main Results:

Coalesced polymers exhibit distinct properties compared to solution or melt processed polymers.
Amorphous homopolymers show higher glass-transition temperatures.
Crystallizable homopolymers display higher melting/crystallization temperatures and altered polymorphs.
Block copolymers and polymer blends show intimate mixing of blocks or chains.

Conclusions:

Distinct behaviors of coalesced polymers stem from the structural organization within polymer-host ICs.
Confined, extended, and unentangled polymer chains in ICs retain these characteristics upon coalescence.
Understanding the structure-property relationships of coalesced polymers opens avenues for novel material design.