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Related Concept Videos

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

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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...
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Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution01:10

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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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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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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...
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Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:17

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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...
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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:10

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael...
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Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
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Molecular scale dynamics of large ring polymers.

S Gooßen1, A R Brás1, M Krutyeva1

  • 1Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS-1) and Institute for Complex Systems (ICS-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany.

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Polymer ring melts exhibit compact, fractal-like structures. Their dynamics involve fast subunit relaxation and slower loop displacement, unique to their topology.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Physics
  • Materials Science
  • Neutron Scattering

Background:

  • Understanding the unique properties of polymer rings is crucial due to their distinct topology compared to linear polymers.
  • Previous simulations suggested compact conformations for polymer rings, but experimental validation was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally investigate the structure and dynamics of polyethylene oxide rings using neutron scattering.
  • To explore the conformational and dynamic behavior of polymer rings in the melt state.
  • To provide the first experimental observation of segmental motion in ring polymers.

Main Methods:

  • Neutron scattering experiments were conducted on polyethylene oxide melts with varying molecular weights.
  • Analysis focused on structural conformation and dynamic relaxation processes.

Main Results:

  • Polyethylene oxide rings adopt a compact conformation, approaching a mass fractal structure.
  • Dynamics show fast Rouse relaxation of subunits and slower lattice animal-like loop displacement.
  • The intrinsic loop size is independent of molecular weight.

Conclusions:

  • Experimental data confirm the compact, fractal-like structure of polymer rings.
  • The unique topology of polymer rings dictates their distinct dynamics, including Rouse relaxation and loop displacement.
  • This study provides critical insights into the space-time evolution of segmental motion in ring polymers.