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Polymers

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...

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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...

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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...

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

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 Microstructures through Two-Photon Crosslinking.

David Schwärzle¹, Xiaoqang Hou¹, Oswald Prucker¹

¹Department of Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

|August 24, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Two-photon crosslinking (2PC) enables novel freestanding microstructures fabrication. This polymer fabrication method offers precise control over 3D structure formation and chemical composition.

Keywords:

crosslinking multilayered microstructures photoreactive polymers two-photon lithography

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Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Materials Science
Nanofabrication

Background:

Two-photon lithography is a powerful technique for 3D microfabrication.
Localized polymer crosslinking is crucial for creating complex microstructures.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce two-photon crosslinking (2PC) as a novel method for fabricating freestanding microstructures.
To demonstrate the ability to create multilayered structures with varying chemical compositions.
To achieve spatially controlled protein adsorption on fabricated structures.

Main Methods:

Utilizing two-photon absorption in a confocal volume to induce localized polymer crosslinking.
Coating polymers as solvent-free glassy films onto substrates for microstructure writing.
Employing self-assembled monolayers for covalent attachment of structures to substrates.
Developing multilayered structures with distinct polymer properties perpendicular to the surface.

Main Results:

Successfully fabricated freestanding microstructures using 2PC.
Achieved enhanced stability of structures through covalent substrate attachment.
Demonstrated the capability to create multilayered structures with controlled chemical gradients.
Fabricated a 3D structure exhibiting spatially controlled protein adsorption using protein-repellent and -adsorbing polymers.

Conclusions:

Two-photon crosslinking is a versatile method for advanced polymer microfabrication.
The technique allows for precise control over structure formation, stability, and chemical composition.
This method opens possibilities for creating complex functional microdevices with tailored surface properties.