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Related Concept Videos

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
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Actin polymerization occurs through the head-to-tail association of binding sites on monomeric actin or G-actin to form filamentous or F-actin. The polymerization can be divided into three phases ̶  nucleation, elongation, and steady-state phase.
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Polymerization produces macromolecules with a range of chain lengths due to the random nature of molecular growth processes. As chains form and terminate at different stages, a single polymer sample contains molecules of varying sizes rather than a uniform structure. This variability is described using average molar masses and distribution-related parameters, which together provide a comprehensive understanding of polymer characteristics.The distribution of molar masses plays a critical role in...
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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...
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:10

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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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For any given polymer, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is higher than, if not equal to, the number average molecular weight (Mn). The only situation in which the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are equal is when a polymer consists only of chains with equal molecular weight. However, this never happens in a synthetic polymer, since it is difficult to control the polymerization process up to a molecular level with accuracy to a hundred percent.

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Study of Protein Dynamics via Neutron Spin Echo Spectroscopy
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Probe dynamics constraints on theoretical models for polymer dynamics.

George D J Phillies1

  • 1Department of Physics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, USA. phillies@wpi.edu

The Journal of Chemical Physics
|December 20, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Probe particle motion in polymer solutions reveals insights into polymer dynamics. Small molecule mobility transitions near 400 g/l are linked to solvent size relative to polymer chain spacing.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Understanding polymer solution dynamics is crucial for theoretical model development.
  • Probe particle motion provides experimental constraints on these dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the motion of various probe sizes (large, intermediate, small) in polymer solutions.
  • To constrain theoretical and mathematical models of polymer dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental analysis of diffusion and driven motion.
  • Utilizing large, intermediate, and small probe particles.
  • Studying probe motion in polymer solutions and small-molecule solvents.

Main Results:

  • Constraints were placed on physical models describing polymer motion.
  • Limitations were identified for mathematical structures used in quantitative predictions.
  • A transition in small-molecule mobility was observed near 400 g/l polymer concentration.

Conclusions:

  • The observed mobility transition is explained by the relative size of solvent molecules to inter-chain segment gaps.
  • Findings aid in refining theoretical frameworks for polymer solution behavior.