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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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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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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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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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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching01:17

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching

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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...
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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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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
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Concurrent control over sequence and dispersity in multiblock copolymers.

Maria-Nefeli Antonopoulou1, Richard Whitfield1, Nghia P Truong1,2

  • 1Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.

Nature Chemistry
|November 30, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a novel method for synthesizing sequence-controlled polymers with tunable dispersity. This breakthrough offers unprecedented control over macromolecular architecture, advancing polymer science and materials development.

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Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
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Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Macromolecular Science

Background:

  • Controlling monomer sequence and dispersity is crucial for polymer properties.
  • Existing synthetic methods struggle to simultaneously control both sequence and dispersity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a simple, one-pot method for synthesizing sequence-controlled polymers.
  • To achieve on-demand control over dispersity in synthetic macromolecules.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized controlled radical polymerization with regulated chain transfer agent activity.
  • Developed a one-pot synthesis for sequence-controlled multiblocks.

Main Results:

  • Achieved on-demand control over dispersity (gradually ascending, descending, or alternating).
  • Demonstrated high livingness, quantitative yields, and agreement between theoretical and experimental molecular weights.
  • Successfully synthesized highly ordered pentablock, octablock, and decablock copolymers.

Conclusions:

  • The new methodology enables concurrent control over both sequence and dispersity in synthetic macromolecules.
  • This approach offers a powerful tool for designing advanced polymer materials with tailored properties.