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Related Concept Videos

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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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

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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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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

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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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The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
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Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

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The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
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Entropy and interfacial energy driven self-healable polymers.

Chris C Hornat1, Marek W Urban2

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|February 27, 2020
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed strong, stiff self-healing polymers that repair autonomously under ambient conditions. These materials utilize viscoelastic shape memory and surface energy for damage repair, offering a new approach for commodity polymers.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Significant advances in dynamic bonding chemistries for self-healing polymers exist.
  • A key goal is creating high-strength, stiff commodity materials that self-repair autonomously under ambient conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop mechanically robust thermoplastic polyurethane fibers and films with autonomous self-healing capabilities under ambient conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Development of thermoplastic polyurethane fibers and films.
  • Identification and analysis of self-healing mechanisms: viscoelastic shape memory (VESM) and surface energy/tension.
  • Investigation of molecular weight dependence on self-healing mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Mechanically robust thermoplastic polyurethane fibers and films capable of autonomous self-healing under ambient conditions were developed.
  • Two self-healing mechanisms were identified: VESM and surface energy/tension.
  • The strongest and stiffest self-healing polymers to date, capable of ambient repair without intervention, were achieved (Sf = 21 mN/tex, σf ≈ 22 MPa; J = 300 mN/tex, E ≈ 320 MPa).

Conclusions:

  • The developed materials represent a significant advancement in self-healing polymers, offering high strength and stiffness.
  • The identified autonomous self-healing mechanisms, driven by viscoelastic behavior, are not limited to specific polymer chemistries.
  • These findings provide generalizable approaches for designing other self-repairing commodity polymers.