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Polymers

Polymers

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...

Polymers

Polymers

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

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.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the...

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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...

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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...

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

Published on: April 16, 2018

Polymers with Dynamic Bonds: Adaptive Functional Materials for a Sustainable Future.

Subarna Samanta¹, Sungjin Kim², Tomonori Saito²

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B

|July 29, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Adaptive polymers with dynamic bonds offer enhanced toughness, adhesion, and recyclability. These materials enable advanced properties like self-healing and shape memory, paving the way for future technologies.

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Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Chemistry

Background:

Polymeric materials are essential in current technologies.
Adaptive polymers with dynamic bonds offer unique properties and future potential.
Dynamic bonds allow structural rearrangements under specific conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To overview new developments in dynamic bond polymers.
To highlight unique properties of these polymers.
To provide perspectives on future applications.

Main Methods:

Review of recent advancements in dynamic polymer research.
Analysis of the fundamental principles governing dynamic bond behavior.
Case studies illustrating the unique properties and applications.

Main Results:

Dynamic bonds significantly enhance polymer toughness and adhesion.
Incorporation of dynamic bonds enables recyclability.
Key properties include self-healing and shape memory effects.

Conclusions:

Polymers with dynamic bonds represent a significant advancement in materials science.
These materials offer solutions for improved performance and sustainability.
Broad applications are anticipated in both current and future technologies.