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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...

Bonding in Metals

Bonding in Metals

Metallic bonds are formed between two metal atoms. A simplified model to describe metallic bonding has been developed by Paul Drüde called the “Electron Sea Model”.

Bond Energies and Bond Lengths

Bond Energies and Bond Lengths

Stable molecules exist because covalent bonds hold the atoms together. The strength of a covalent bond is measured by the energy required to break it, that is, the energy necessary to separate the bonded atoms. Separating any pair of bonded atoms requires energy — the stronger a bond, the greater the energy required to break it.

Metal-Ligand Bonds

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...

Peptide Bonds

Peptide Bonds

A peptide bond covalently attaches amino acids through a dehydration reaction. One amino acid's carboxyl group and another amino acid's amino group combine, releasing a water molecule. The resulting bond is the peptide bond. The products that such linkages form are peptides. As more amino acids join this growing chain, the resulting chain is a polypeptide. Each polypeptide has a free amino group at one end. This end has the N-terminal, or the amino-terminal, and the other end has a free...

Ionic Bonds

Ionic Bonds

Overview
When atoms gain or lose electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration they form ions. Ionic bonds are electrostatic attractions between ions with opposite charges. Ionic compounds are rigid and brittle when solid and may dissociate into their constituent ions in water. Covalent compounds, by contrast, remain intact unless a chemical reaction breaks them.
Opposing Charges Hold Ions Together in Ionic Compounds
Ionic bonds are reversible electrostatic interactions between ions...

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The Effect of Construction and Demolition Waste Plastic Fractions on Wood-Polymer Composite Properties

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Using Synergistic Multiple Dynamic Bonds to Construct Polymers with Engineered Properties.

Zhen Jiang¹, Ayana Bhaskaran¹, Heather M Aitken¹

¹Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

Macromolecular Rapid Communications

|April 13, 2019

Summary

Dynamic bonds in polymers offer remarkable properties like self-healing and conductivity. This review explores using complementary dynamic interactions to control soft polymer material properties.

Keywords:

3D printability dynamic bonds multiple functionalities self-healing polymers stimulus-responsiveness toughness

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Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Dynamic bonds are crucial for advanced polymer properties such as self-healing, shape memory, and conductivity.
Incorporating multiple dynamic bonds enhances polymer functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the use of complementary dynamic interactions in controlling soft polymer material properties.
To highlight the potential of combining diverse dynamic chemistries for tailored material performance.

Main Methods:

Review of scientific literature on dynamic bonds in polymers.
Focus on complementary dynamic interactions for property control.
Exclusion of colloids, amphiphiles, liquid crystals, and biological soft matter.

Main Results:

Complementary dynamic interactions provide a versatile strategy for tuning polymer properties.
The combination of different dynamic bonds leads to multifunctional soft materials.
Diverse dynamic chemistries offer broad possibilities for material design.

Conclusions:

Complementary dynamic interactions are key to developing advanced soft polymer materials.
This approach enables the creation of materials with multiple, tunable functionalities.
Future research can leverage this strategy for novel polymer applications.