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Related Concept Videos

Polymers02:34

Polymers

35.9K
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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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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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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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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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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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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Preparation and Friction Force Microscopy Measurements of Immiscible, Opposing Polymer Brushes
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Preparation and Friction Force Microscopy Measurements of Immiscible, Opposing Polymer Brushes

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Supramolecular Polymer Brushes.

Friederike K Metze1, Harm-Anton Klok1

  • 1Institut des Matériaux and Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Laboratoire des Polymères, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Bâtiment MXD, Station 12, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.

ACS Polymers Au
|June 19, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study explores supramolecular polymer brushes, which use noncovalent interactions for surface attachment. These brushes offer unique properties for advanced materials like self-healing coatings.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Surface Science

Background:

  • Polymer brushes are thin polymer films with densely grafted, chain-end tethered polymers.
  • Conventional polymer brushes are typically anchored via covalent bonds.
  • Supramolecular polymer brushes, utilizing noncovalent interactions, are less explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of methods for preparing supramolecular polymer brushes.
  • To highlight the potential of noncovalent interactions in polymer brush synthesis.
  • To explore applications in renewable and self-healable surface coatings.

Main Methods:

  • Review of "grafting to" strategies for supramolecular polymer brushes.
  • Presentation of "grafting from" methods for supramolecular polymer brush synthesis.
  • Analysis of noncovalent interactions for polymer chain tethering.

Main Results:

  • Supramolecular polymer brushes can be prepared using both "grafting to" and "grafting from" approaches.
  • Noncovalent interactions offer alternative pathways to traditional covalent bonding.
  • These brushes exhibit distinct chain dynamics compared to covalent counterparts.

Conclusions:

  • Supramolecular polymer brushes represent a promising area with unique properties.
  • Further research into noncovalent methods can unlock novel applications.
  • Potential for developing advanced, functional surface coatings.