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Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

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.
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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.
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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...

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2025

Controlled Synthesis and Fluorescence Tracking of Highly Uniform PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Microgels

Controlled Synthesis and Fluorescence Tracking of Highly Uniform PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Microgels

Published on: September 8, 2016

Percolation-induced gel-gel phase separation in a dilute polymer network.

Shohei Ishikawa¹, Yasuhide Iwanaga¹, Takashi Uneyama²

¹Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Nature Materials

|October 31, 2023

Summary

Researchers created a novel dissipative network in a polymer-water mixture, leading to spontaneous gel-gel phase separation. This process yields a highly hydrated yet hydrophobic gel with potential for tissue engineering applications.

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Published on: April 16, 2018

Area of Science:

Physical Chemistry
Materials Science
Tissue Engineering

Background:

Non-equilibrium organized systems, like cosmic structures and biological tissues, arise from dissipative processes.
Replicating these complex self-organizing properties in artificial systems remains a significant scientific challenge.
Understanding dissipative phenomena is key to developing advanced functional materials.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate a dissipative network formation process in a dilute polymer-water mixture.
To explore the resulting gel-gel phase separation and its characteristics.
To evaluate the potential applications of the novel material, particularly in tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

Formation of a dissipative network in a dilute polymer-water mixture.
Observation of percolation-induced gel-gel phase separation during the deswelling process.
Characterization of the resulting two co-continuous gel phases, including the dilute-percolated gel.

Main Results:

A spontaneous phase separation into two co-continuous gel phases occurred, forming a submillimetre scale structure.
The dilute-percolated gel, comprising 99% water, demonstrated unexpected hydrophobic properties.
This unique gel induced the development of adipose-like tissues when implanted in subcutaneous tissues.

Conclusions:

Dissipative network formation can lead to self-assembly of complex structures in synthetic systems.
The resulting highly hydrated yet hydrophobic gel possesses unique properties suitable for advanced applications.
This work opens avenues for developing functional dissipative structures in physical chemistry and regenerative medicine.