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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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Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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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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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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,...
2.1K
Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:17

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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Ziegler–Natta polymerization is another form of addition or chain‐growth polymerization used for synthesizing linear polymers over branched polymers. The catalyst used for polymerization is the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, named after Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta, who developed it in 1953. This catalyst is an organometallic complex of titanium tetrachloride and triethyl aluminum, with the active form of the catalyst being an alkyl titanium compound. Using the Ziegler–Natta...
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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
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Controlling block copolymer one-dimensional self-assembly in polymeric matrices.

Jessica Gutiérrez González1, Marcelo Ceolín2, Walter F Schroeder1

  • 1Institute of Materials Science and Technology (INTEMA), University of Mar del Plata and National Research Council (CONICET), Av. Cristóbal Colón 10850, B7606WV Mar del Plata, Argentina. izucchi@fi.mdp.edu.ar.

Soft Matter
|April 24, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers synthesized one-dimensional (1D) polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanocrystals within a polystyrene matrix using self-assembling polystyrene-block-polyethylene oxide (PS-b-PEO) copolymers. Nanocrystal morphology depends on copolymer formulation and curing conditions, enabling customized 1D nanostructures.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • One-dimensional (1D) nanostructures in polymers influence transport and mechanical properties.
  • Controlling nanostructure morphology is key for advanced material design.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize 1D polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanocrystals in situ within a polystyrene matrix.
  • To investigate the effect of block copolymer (BCP) formulation on nanocrystal morphology and self-assembly.
  • To understand the role of curing conditions in controlling nanocrystal formation.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of 1D PEO nanocrystals via in situ self-assembly of polystyrene-b-polyethylene oxide (PS-b-PEO) block copolymers.
  • Utilized three different BCPs (L-BCP, M-BCP, H-BCP) with varying molecular weights.
  • Investigated reaction-induced microphase separation during styrene photopolymerization and epitaxial crystallization for aggregation.
  • Manipulated curing cycles, including introducing non-reactive periods, to influence core thickening and end-to-end coupling.

Main Results:

  • Nanocrystal morphology was highly dependent on the BCP used: L-BCP formed ribbon-like structures, M-BCP macro-phase separated, and H-BCP formed disk-like structures.
  • The length of the stabilizing corona block significantly influenced self-assembly behavior.
  • Introducing a non-reactive period in the cure cycle promoted core thickening and enabled 1D self-assembly for H-BCP.
  • Increased undercooling enhanced nucleation rates and crystal growth, leading to shorter 1D nanocrystals with narrower size distributions.

Conclusions:

  • The study demonstrates the ability to synthesize customized 1D nanocrystals in a thermoplastic matrix.
  • Precise control over BCP formulation and curing conditions is crucial for directing nanocrystal morphology and properties.
  • This approach offers a pathway for designing advanced nanostructured polymers with tailored characteristics.