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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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Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

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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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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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Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution01:10

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For any given polymer, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is higher than, if not equal to, the number average molecular weight (Mn). The only situation in which the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are equal is when a polymer consists only of chains with equal molecular weight. However, this never happens in a synthetic polymer, since it is difficult to control the polymerization process up to a molecular level with accuracy to a hundred percent.
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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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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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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
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A Global View on Block Copolymers.

Massimo Lazzari1, Mercedes Torneiro2

  • 1Departamento de Química Física, Facultade de Química and Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Polymers
|April 16, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Block copolymer research has grown for over 60 years, with recent shifts in leading institutions and key applications like drug delivery. Future trends focus on nanomedicine and ordered morphologies.

Keywords:
PS-b-PMMAdrug deliverynanomaterialspoly(ethylene oxide)self-assembly

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science and Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Chemical Engineering

Background:

  • Block copolymers have been a subject of extensive research for over six decades.
  • Publication output has shown consistent growth, indicating sustained scientific interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically analyze the evolution of block copolymer research from 1952 to 2019.
  • To identify key research trends, popular copolymer types, and predict future directions.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of 45,143 publications.
  • Analysis of publication metrics including source, country, institution, keywords, and copolymer type.
  • Trend analysis of research topics and applications.

Main Results:

  • Consistent publication growth over six decades, with recent dominance by Chinese institutions.
  • Key research areas include synthesis, self-assembly, morphology, and solution applications.
  • Styrene-butadiene-styrene, PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO, and amphiphilic copolymers (PCL, PLA based) are highly investigated, particularly for drug delivery.
  • 2019 saw increased focus on drug delivery and self-assembly studies.

Conclusions:

  • Block copolymer research demonstrates sustained growth and evolving geographical and thematic focus.
  • The field is expanding into nanomedicine and advanced material applications, emphasizing controlled morphology.
  • Future research will likely concentrate on nanomedicine challenges and technology-driven applications requiring precise mesophase control.