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Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers01:24

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

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Copolymers are the products obtained from the polymerization of multiple monomer species. So, in a polymer chain itself, there can be multiple repeating units that come from different monomers. The process of synthesizing a polymer from different monomer species is called copolymerization. When two monomers are involved, the polymer is known as a bipolymer. Polymers with three and four monomers are termed terpolymers and quaterpolymers, respectively. Figure 1 depicts the copolymerization of...
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Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

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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.
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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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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...
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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...
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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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Process-Accessible States of Block Copolymers.

De-Wen Sun1, Marcus Müller1

  • 1Institut für Theoretische Physik, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, D 37077 Göttingen, Germany.

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This study explores process-directed self-assembly in block copolymers, transforming unstable states into stable structures. Researchers found that the final mesostructure symmetry often matches the initial state, enabling fabrication of novel materials.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Soft Matter Physics

Background:

  • Block copolymers self-assemble into ordered mesostructures.
  • Process-directed self-assembly utilizes thermodynamic control over kinetic pathways.
  • Controlling kinetics allows access to metastable states beyond equilibrium.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the kinetics of self-assembly in ACB triblock copolymers after transforming the middle C block to A.
  • Determine which metastable mesostructures can be fabricated by varying block copolymer composition.
  • Explore the relationship between initial and final mesostructure symmetries.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a prototypical process (e.g., photochemical transformation) to convert ABB triblock copolymers to AAB.
  • Systematically varied block copolymer composition to map process-accessible states.
  • Analyzed the resulting mesostructures, including equilibrium and metastable phases.

Main Results:

  • Identified a diagram of process-accessible states for AAB copolymers, including 7 metastable periodic mesostructures.
  • Discovered Schoen's F-RD periodic minimal surface as an accessible metastable structure.
  • Observed that the final metastable mesostructure generally retains the symmetry of the initial ABB copolymer equilibrium mesophase.

Conclusions:

  • Process-directed self-assembly offers a route to fabricate specific metastable mesostructures in block copolymers.
  • The symmetry of the initial equilibrium phase serves as a predictor for the final metastable phase symmetry.
  • This approach expands the range of accessible nanostructures for advanced material applications.