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Related Concept Videos

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.
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Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

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Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
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Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:17

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Ziegler–Natta polymerization is another form of addition or chain‐growth polymerization used for synthesizing linear polymers over branched polymers. The catalyst used for polymerization is the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, named after Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta, who developed it in 1953. This catalyst is an organometallic complex of titanium tetrachloride and triethyl aluminum, with the active form of the catalyst being an alkyl titanium compound. Using the Ziegler–Natta...
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Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

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Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
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Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

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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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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

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The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this species into...
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Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
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Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level

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Polymer Knot in Solution near the θ Point.

Xiaofei Xu1, Xiangxiang Gao2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.

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Summary

Polymer knots release easily in good solvents due to chain fluctuations, but are confined in poor solvents, hindering condensation. This research clarifies knot effects on polymer dynamics.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Physics
  • Soft Matter Physics
  • Computational Chemistry

Background:

  • Polymer knots significantly influence polymer dynamics and material properties.
  • Understanding knot behavior is crucial for polymer science and applications.
  • Solvent quality affects polymer chain conformation and interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of polymer knots on polymer dynamics in aqueous solutions.
  • To develop a method for identifying the theta point using simulation and analytical techniques.
  • To systematically analyze polymer internal motions across varying solvent qualities.

Main Methods:

  • Dissipative particle dynamics simulations were employed to model polymer solutions.
  • A novel methodology combining simulation data and analytical methods was developed to identify the theta point.
  • Polymer internal motions were studied by systematically altering solvent quality from good to poor.

Main Results:

  • In good solvents, knots exhibit a 'breathing' stage followed by a 'moving' stage for release.
  • Near the theta point, enhanced chain fluctuations facilitate knot release.
  • In poor solvents, knots are confined, suppressing polymer condensation due to excluded volume effects.

Conclusions:

  • Knot release mechanisms are strongly dependent on solvent quality.
  • The identified theta point provides a critical reference for polymer behavior.
  • Findings offer insights for experimental interpretation and industrial applications involving polymer knots.