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Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

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.

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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...

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...

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.
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Characterization of Thermal Transport in One-dimensional Solid Materials

Characterization of Thermal Transport in One-dimensional Solid Materials

Published on: January 26, 2014

Thermal Conductivity of Polymers: A Simple Matter Where Complexity Matters.

Debashish Mukherji¹

¹Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z4, Canada.

Macromolecular Rapid Communications

|October 18, 2024

Summary

This study reviews thermal conductivity in polymers. Researchers explored tuning thermal conductivity (κ) in polymers and polymeric solids using macromolecular engineering, combining computational, theoretical, and experimental approaches.

Keywords:

macromolecular engineering polymers structure‐property relationship thermal conductivity

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Last Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Characterization of Thermal Transport in One-dimensional Solid Materials

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Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level

Published on: September 26, 2016

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Science
Solid State Physics

Background:

Thermal conductivity (κ) is crucial for material applications, with low κ needed for thermoelectrics and high κ for high-temperature uses.
Amorphous polymers have limited thermal conductivity (max ≈0.4 W/Km), significantly lower than crystals, hindering their use in high-performance materials.
Macromolecular engineering offers a pathway to tune the thermal conductivity of polymers and polymeric solids.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of recent advancements in understanding and controlling thermal conductivity in polymers.
To discuss the interplay between computational, theoretical, and experimental findings in polymer thermal conductivity research.
To highlight future research directions for enhancing thermal conductivity in polymeric materials.

Main Methods:

Review of recent computational and theoretical studies on polymer thermal conductivity.
Integration of theoretical/computational findings with complementary experimental data.
Analysis of macromolecular engineering strategies for κ tunability.

Main Results:

Demonstrated that macromolecular engineering can effectively tune the thermal conductivity of polymers.
Highlighted the significant gap in thermal conductivity between amorphous polymers and crystalline materials.
Showcased the value of combining diverse research approaches (computational, theoretical, experimental).

Conclusions:

Macromolecular engineering holds significant promise for developing polymers with tailored thermal conductivity.
Further research is needed to bridge the κ gap between polymers and crystals.
Integrated approaches are essential for advancing the field of polymer thermal conductivity.