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Related Concept Videos

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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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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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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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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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...
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Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this...
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Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

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The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
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Monitoring Protein Adsorption with Solid-state Nanopores
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Mechanisms of Polymer Adsorption onto Solid Substrates.

David Nieto Simavilla1, Weide Huang1,2, Philippe Vandestrick1

  • 1Laboratory of Polymer and Soft Matter Dynamics, Faculté des Sciences, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe, Bâtiment NO, Bruxelles 1050, Belgium.

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Summary

This study introduces a new method to distinguish between molecular rearrangement and potential-driven adsorption mechanisms. Findings reveal adsorption is thermally activated, with final amounts determined by interface interactions, not temperature.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer science
  • Surface chemistry
  • Materials science

Background:

  • Controlling polymer/substrate interfaces is crucial for material properties.
  • Adsorbed layers formation is key to interface control without chemical modification.
  • Two primary mechanisms govern irreversible polymer chain attachment: molecular rearrangement and potential-driven adsorption.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce an analytical method for differentiating molecular rearrangement and potential-driven adsorption.
  • To investigate the influence of thermal energy and interaction potential on adsorption kinetics.
  • To understand the factors affecting equilibrium and non-equilibrium adsorption processes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of experimental data and simulations.
  • Investigation of thermal energy and interaction potential effects.
  • Characterization of adsorption kinetics under varying conditions.

Main Results:

  • A novel analytical method successfully differentiates adsorption mechanisms.
  • Adsorption process is thermally activated with activation energy similar to local noncooperative processes.
  • Final adsorbed polymer amount is solely dependent on interface interaction, independent of temperature in experiments.
  • A universal linear relation between short and long adsorption time growth rates was identified.

Conclusions:

  • The monomer pinning mechanism is independent of surface coverage.
  • Adsorption rate is progressively limited by the availability of free surface sites.
  • The developed method provides insights into polymer adsorption kinetics and interface control.