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Related Concept Videos

Polymers02:34

Polymers

38.3K
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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Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

3.9K
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...
3.9K
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

2.5K
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...
2.5K
Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers01:24

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

2.9K
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...
2.9K
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.2K
The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael...
2.2K
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching01:17

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

2.1K
The skeletal structure of polymers synthesized via radical polymerization is always branched. For example, the polymerization of ethylene by radical polymerization results in a low-density grade of polyethylene with a heavily branched skeletal structure. Here, the radical site abstracts hydrogen from the growing chain, and the radical site shifts from the end (a primary carbon center) to anywhere within the growing chain (a secondary carbon center). Consequently, the part of the chain from the...
2.1K

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Using Polystyrene-block-polyacrylic acid-coated Metal Nanoparticles as Monomers for Their Homo- and Co-polymerization
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Discrete Giant Polymeric Chains Based on Nanosized Monomers.

Zhongguo Liu1, Ze Yang1, Xin Chen1

  • 1South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.

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Summary

Researchers created giant polymer chains using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) building blocks. Monomer size significantly impacts self-assembly and phase stability, enabling programmable material design.

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Solid-phase Submonomer Synthesis of Peptoid Polymers and their Self-Assembly into Highly-Ordered Nanosheets
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Solid-phase Submonomer Synthesis of Peptoid Polymers and their Self-Assembly into Highly-Ordered Nanosheets
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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Science
  • Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

  • Polymeric chains are fundamental macromolecules.
  • The
  • beads-on-a-string
  • model provides a framework for understanding polymer behavior.
  • Giant monomers offer a route to explore polymer science at larger length scales.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To construct discrete giant polymeric chains using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) building blocks.
  • To investigate the impact of monomer size on polymer self-assembly and phase behavior.
  • To explore the potential for modular and programmable material design.

Main Methods:

  • Iterative exponential growth approach for modular construction of POSS-based giant chains.
  • Precise control over molecular parameters (size, composition, regioconfiguration, surface functionalities).
  • Characterization using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography, and mass spectrometry.

Main Results:

  • Successfully synthesized and characterized giant polymeric chains with controlled molecular parameters.
  • Demonstrated that monomer size profoundly influences self-assembly behavior and phase stability.
  • Identified a trade-off between entropic and enthalpic contributions affecting phase stability.

Conclusions:

  • Giant polymeric chains built from POSS offer a unique platform for studying polymer science principles.
  • Monomer size is a critical factor in dictating self-assembly characteristics and material properties.
  • This modular approach enables the design of advanced materials with tailored structures and functions.