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Related Concept Videos

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...
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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.

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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
11:42

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Published on: June 20, 2019

Ideal polyethylene nanocrystals.

Anna Osichow1, Christian Rabe, Karsten Vogtt

  • 1Chair of Chemical Materials Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstr. 10, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|July 17, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a novel catalyst for ethylene polymerization, producing highly ordered polyethylene nanocrystals in aqueous dispersions. These linear polyethylene nanoparticles exhibit exceptional crystallinity and an ideal chain-folded structure.

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Characteristics of Precipitation-formed Polyethylene Glycol Microgels Are Controlled by Molecular Weight of Reactants

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Catalyst precursors are crucial for controlled polymerization.
  • Achieving high crystallinity and linear structure in polyethylene is a significant challenge.
  • Aqueous polymerization offers environmental and processing advantages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a water-soluble catalyst for ethylene polymerization.
  • To synthesize and characterize highly ordered polyethylene nanocrystals.
  • To investigate the structure-property relationships of the resulting polymer nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

  • Ethylene polymerization using a novel water-soluble nickel catalyst precursor.
  • Characterization of polyethylene nanoparticles via Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS).
  • Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy (cryo-TEM) for structural analysis.
  • Annealing studies to probe chain mobility within nanocrystals.

Main Results:

  • The catalyst produced strictly linear polyethylene with high crystallinity (≥90% DSC, 82% SAXS).
  • Polyethylene nanoparticles exhibited an ideal chain-folded structure with a thin amorphous layer.
  • Annealing studies confirmed lamellar thickening without disrupting crystalline order, indicating facile chain movement.
  • The confined crystallization environment within nanoparticles and catalyst-directed chain deposition are key to the observed order.

Conclusions:

  • A novel catalyst enables the synthesis of highly ordered, linear polyethylene nanocrystals in aqueous dispersions.
  • The unique structure, characterized by ideal chain folding and minimal entanglements, results from nanoparticle confinement.
  • These findings offer a new pathway for producing advanced polyethylene nanomaterials with tailored properties.