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Polymers

Polymers

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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Optical Control of Living Cells Electrical Activity by Conjugated Polymers

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Published on: January 28, 2016

Light-Induced Living Polymer Networks with Adaptive Functional Properties.

Shixuan Wei¹, Julian Smith-Jones², Remy F Lalisse³

¹Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

|April 9, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces carbazole-based thiuram disulfides (CTDs) for light-activated covalent adaptable networks (CANs). These CTDs enable fast, controlled manipulation of opaque polymer networks using visible light.

Keywords:

covalent adaptable networks dynamic covalent polymer networks living polymer networks photopolymerization photoresponsive polymers self‐healing polymers thiurams

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Published on: November 14, 2015

Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Materials Science
Macromolecular Engineering

Background:

Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) possess unique, engineerable properties due to dynamic covalent bonds.
Light is an ideal stimulus for CANs, offering remote and spatiotemporal control.
Existing photoactive CANs often require transparency, exhibit slow responses, and suffer from limited light penetration.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop optically active dynamic linkages for fast visible light-triggered CANs.
To impart "living" characteristics to CANs, particularly in opaque systems.
To overcome limitations of transparency, response time, and side reactions in photoactive CANs.

Main Methods:

Synthesis and utilization of carbazole-based thiuram disulfides (CTDs) as photoactivated linkages.
Employing CTDs with dual reactivity as both reshuffling linkages and iniferters.
Utilizing visible light irradiation to trigger chemical changes in polymer networks.

Main Results:

CTDs demonstrate fast response to visible light activation.
Achieved temporal control over shape manipulation, healing, and chain extension in polymer networks.
Successfully manipulated opaque CANs, overcoming the need for optical transparency.

Conclusions:

Carbazole-based thiuram disulfides offer a promising strategy for multifunctional photoactivated CANs.
Visible light can effectively control polymer network dynamics even in opaque materials.
This approach enables controlled manipulation of CANs with enhanced "living" characteristics.