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Related Concept Videos

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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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Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

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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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Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the...
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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

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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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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: 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 species into...
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Droplet formation and growth inside a polymer network: A molecular dynamics simulation study.

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Polymer networks can control nanoscale droplet formation and growth. Smaller mesh sizes suppress droplet formation, while larger mesh sizes lead to slower growth and Ostwald ripening due to network obstruction.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Computational Physics

Background:

  • Nanoscale droplet formation is crucial in various applications.
  • Understanding droplet behavior within polymer networks is complex.
  • Polymer network structure significantly influences fluid behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate nanoscale droplet formation and growth within polymer networks.
  • To explore the impact of polymer network mesh size on droplet dynamics.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms governing droplet growth in confined environments.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular dynamics simulations were employed.
  • A dilute Lennard-Jones fluid undergoing liquid-vapor phase separation was studied.
  • Polymer networks with varying mesh sizes were simulated.

Main Results:

  • Droplet formation can be suppressed in small mesh size polymer networks, dependent on particle attraction.
  • Droplet growth is significantly slower in intermediate mesh size networks compared to bulk.
  • Droplet growth mechanisms shift from diffusion/coalescence in large mesh sizes to Ostwald ripening in smaller mesh sizes.

Conclusions:

  • Polymer network mesh size dictates droplet formation and growth mechanisms.
  • Network obstruction hinders droplet movement, promoting Ostwald ripening.
  • Polymer networks offer a means to control nanoscale droplet behavior.