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Related Concept Videos

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...
Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution01:10

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

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.
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

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...
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...
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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Remarkable order of a high-performance polymer.

Christopher J Takacs1, Neil D Treat, Stephan Krämer

  • 1Department of Physics, Broida Hall, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.

Nano Letters
|May 8, 2013
PubMed
Summary

High-performance polymer P(NDI2OD-T2) exhibits ordered lamella nanostructures. These structures, with long-range polymer backbone correlations, unify previous findings on this high-mobility material.

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Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
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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:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • High-performance organic semiconductors are crucial for next-generation electronics.
  • Understanding nanoscale morphology is key to optimizing charge transport in organic polymers.
  • Poly{[N,N'-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5'-(2,2'-bithiophene)} (P(NDI2OD-T2)) is a high-mobility n-type polymer with promising electronic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To directly image and characterize the nanoscale organization of P(NDI2OD-T2).
  • To resolve the lamellar structure and its correlation with polymer backbone ordering.
  • To reconcile conflicting previous studies on the morphology of P(NDI2OD-T2).

Main Methods:

  • High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).
  • Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM).
  • Analysis of alkyl stacking distances and polymer backbone correlations.

Main Results:

  • Direct visualization of "face-on" lamella with a 2.4 nm alkyl stacking distance.
  • Observation of local transitions between ordered and disordered states within 10 nm.
  • Identification of long-range polymer backbone correlations extending up to a micrometer.
  • Evidence of overlapping layers within the ~20 nm film thickness.

Conclusions:

  • P(NDI2OD-T2) possesses a highly ordered lamellar nanostructure throughout the film.
  • Overlapping layers and ordered domains contribute to enhanced interconnectivity.
  • The findings provide a unified understanding of the material's morphology and high charge mobility.