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Related Concept Videos

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers01:24

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

3.0K
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

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

4.1K
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.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
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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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Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

3.6K
Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
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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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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
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Large-Grained Cylindrical Block Copolymer Morphologies by One-Step Room-Temperature Casting.

Arkadiusz A Leniart1, Przemyslaw Pula1, Esther H R Tsai2

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Warsaw 02089, Poland.

Macromolecules
|December 31, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

We developed a single-step method for ordering block copolymer (BCP) morphologies by controlling solvent evaporation during casting. This solvent evaporation annealing (SEA) technique rapidly produces well-ordered BCP thin films without specialized equipment.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Block copolymers (BCP) self-assemble into ordered nanostructures.
  • Conventional methods for ordering BCPs involve multi-step processes like casting and annealing.
  • Efficient and rapid ordering of BCP morphologies is crucial for advanced material applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a facile, single-step method for ordering block copolymer (BCP) morphologies.
  • To integrate microphase separation and grain coarsening into a single casting protocol.
  • To significantly reduce processing time for creating well-ordered BCP thin films.

Main Methods:

  • Introduced a nonvolatile solvent into the BCP casting solution to slow solvent evaporation.
  • Developed a solvent evaporation annealing (SEA) process, combining casting and annealing.
  • Analyzed quenched sample morphologies and grain-growth kinetics at varying polymer concentrations and temperatures.

Main Results:

  • Achieved well-ordered, large-molecular-weight BCP thin films in under 3 minutes using basic casting devices.
  • Identified a critical polymer concentration range (just above order-disorder transition) for obtaining large-grained morphologies.
  • Observed large growth exponents (1/2) in grain-growth kinetics, indicating rapid defect annihilation.

Conclusions:

  • The SEA method offers a rapid and efficient alternative to conventional BCP ordering techniques.
  • Precise control over polymer concentration during casting is key for successful morphology ordering.
  • The study provides insights into the kinetics and thermodynamics of grain coarsening in this one-step process.