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Related Concept Videos

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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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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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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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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The polymerization process that involves carbanion as an intermediate is called anionic polymerization. It is also a type of addition or chain-growth polymerization. Anionic polymerization gets initiated by a strong nucleophile such as an organolithium or a Grignard reagent. The most commonly used initiator for anionic polymerization is butyl lithium. Monomers involved in anionic polymerization must possess a vinyl group bonded to one or two electron-withdrawing groups. For instance,...
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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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Polymers02:34

Polymers

41.5K
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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Block Copolymer Self-Assembly in Solution-Quo Vadis?

Johannes C Brendel1,2, Felix H Schacher1,2

  • 1Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743, Jena, Germany.

Chemistry, an Asian Journal
|December 12, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Advances in block copolymer self-assembly enable complex nanostructures. Researchers are exploring dynamic processes and new copolymer types for greater control and hierarchical designs in solution.

Keywords:
block copolymershierarchical structuresnanostructuresself-assemblystructure-activity relationships

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Block copolymer self-assembly in solution has seen significant advancements.
  • Progress includes improved building block design and understanding of assembly mechanisms.
  • Kinetic factors are increasingly recognized for their role in forming non-equilibrium structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review key developments in block copolymer self-assembly over the last five years.
  • To highlight trends in creating complex, hierarchical nanostructures.
  • To focus on advancements in dynamic and step-wise assembly processes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent literature on block copolymer self-assembly.
  • Analysis of trends in copolymer design and assembly pathways.
  • Focus on techniques for imparting hierarchy and controlling non-equilibrium structures.

Main Results:

  • Significant progress in designing advanced block copolymers.
  • Enhanced understanding of assembly pathways and kinetic influences.
  • Emergence of step-wise, dynamic processes for nanostructure formation.
  • Increased focus on gradient and bottlebrush block copolymers.

Conclusions:

  • The field is moving towards greater complexity and control in self-assembly.
  • Dynamic and kinetic control offer new avenues for nanostructure design.
  • Novel copolymer architectures like gradient and bottlebrush are gaining prominence.