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Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution01:10

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

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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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Polymers: Defining Molecular Weight01:01

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Unlike small molecules with definite molecular weights, polymers are a mixture of individual polymer chains of varying lengths, each with a unique molecular weight.  So, the molecular weight of a polymer is expressed as an average value based on the average size of the polymer chains. The two most common forms of averages used for polymers are the number average molecular weight and weight average molecular weight.
The number average molecular weight (Mn) is the summation of the number...
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Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:17

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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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Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

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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.
The extent of the...
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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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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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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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Topoly: Python package to analyze topology of polymers.

Pawel Dabrowski-Tumanski, Pawel Rubach, Wanda Niemyska

    Briefings in Bioinformatics
    |September 16, 2020
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Topoly is a new Python package for analyzing polymer topology. It efficiently detects complex knots, slipknots, and links, aiding in automated analysis of biophysical properties.

    Keywords:
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    Area of Science:

    • Biophysics
    • Computational Biology
    • Materials Science

    Background:

    • Topology plays a crucial role in the (bio)physical properties of matter.
    • Existing computational tools are limited to classifying simple knots and are unsuitable for automated analysis.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To develop an efficient and user-friendly computational tool for detecting and classifying the topology of polymers.
    • To address the limitations of existing methods in automated sample analysis.

    Main Methods:

    • Development of the Topoly Python package.
    • Utilizing topological polynomial invariants for knot and link detection.
    • Implementation of minimal spanning surface calculations for motif identification.
    • Support for various file formats, including Protein Data Bank (PDB).

    Main Results:

    • Topoly enables the distinguishing of knots, slipknots, links, and spatial graphs.
    • The package can identify topological motifs like lassos and generate random closed polymers.
    • It offers a user-friendly interface with extensive documentation and test cases.

    Conclusions:

    • Topoly provides a powerful and accessible solution for topological analysis of polymers.
    • The package facilitates automated analysis and research in biophysics and materials science.
    • Its ease of use makes it suitable for both novice and experienced users.