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Related Concept Videos

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:10

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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Chain-growth or addition polymerization is successive addition reactions of monomers with a polymer chain. In radical chain-growth polymerization, the reaction proceeds via a free-radical intermediate. The free radical is formed from radical initiators, which spontaneously generate free radicals by homolytic fission. Organic peroxides (such as dibenzoyl peroxide, as shown in Figure 1) or azo compounds are popular radical initiators. A low concentration ratio of radical initiator to monomer is...
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Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

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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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Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

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The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this...
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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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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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Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction
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Force-Trainable Liquid Crystal Elastomer Enabled by Mechanophore-Induced Radical Polymerization.

Yiyi Xu1, Yinliang Huang1, Jinyu Wang1

  • 1Institute of Advanced Materials and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|January 27, 2025
PubMed
Summary

This study trains liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) to adapt like organisms by incorporating mechanophores. These intelligent soft materials self-strengthen and learn new properties through mechanical stress, enhancing their functionality.

Keywords:
force-induced chemical reactionliquid crystal elastomermechanical stress-induced radical polymerizationsmart materialsoft actuator

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Biomimetic Engineering

Background:

  • Organisms exhibit adaptive learning to environmental changes, a trait challenging to replicate in synthetic materials.
  • Current synthetic materials lack the ability to exchange substances with their environment, limiting their adaptive capabilities.
  • Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) are promising for intelligent materials but require methods for environmental interaction and self-improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a feasible method for training synthetic materials, specifically LCEs, to exhibit adaptive learning.
  • To enable LCEs to exchange substances with their environment and autonomously improve their properties.
  • To mimic biological training mechanisms in artificial materials for enhanced functionality.

Main Methods:

  • Integration of tetraarylsuccinonitrile mechanophores into the main chain of LCEs.
  • Utilizing mechanical stress-induced radical polymerization to trigger adaptive changes.
  • Investigating the self-strengthening and property acquisition of the modified LCEs.

Main Results:

  • The developed LCEs demonstrate "adaptive learning" capabilities inspired by biological training.
  • Mechanical stress induces radical polymerization, enabling LCEs to self-strengthen and acquire new functionalities.
  • Acquired properties include enhanced flexibility, light responsiveness, and fluorescence, alongside improved mechanical performance.

Conclusions:

  • This research presents a novel approach to create intelligent soft materials with autonomous self-improvement.
  • The trained LCEs overcome limitations of current materials by exhibiting adaptive learning and environmental interaction.
  • These advancements pave the way for next-generation materials that mimic the adaptive skills of living organisms.