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Related Concept Videos

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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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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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Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

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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

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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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Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

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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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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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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Intrinsically Stretchable and Shape-Memory Phosphorescent Polymers by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization.

Chen Wang1, Ruoqing Zhao1, Xiaozhong Bao1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (LOFE) & Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE), Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.

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|August 28, 2025
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed new amorphous organic polymers with long-lived room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP). These materials exhibit excellent stretchability and shape memory, advancing applications in security, imaging, and sensors.

Keywords:
ATRPblock copolymersroom‐temperature phosphorescenceshape memory

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Optoelectronics

Background:

  • Amorphous organic polymers with room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) are promising for advanced applications.
  • Challenges remain in achieving polymers with both RTP and excellent mechanical properties like stretchability and shape memory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop nanostructured RTP block copolymers with biomimetic properties.
  • To enhance stretchability and shape memory performance in phosphorescent polymers.

Main Methods:

  • Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was used to synthesize block copolymers.
  • A microphase-separated design mimicking mussel cuticles was employed.
  • The strategy was tested with various chromophores for broad-spectrum emission.

Main Results:

  • The block copolymers exhibited a two-phase morphology, leading to excellent mechanical and shape memory performance.
  • The design restricted chromophore mobility, suppressing nonradiative decay and enhancing RTP efficiency.
  • Achieved efficient RTP with lifetimes up to 1000 ms, high stretchability (>700% strain), and shape memory.

Conclusions:

  • Nanostructured RTP block copolymers biomimicking mussel cuticles offer a viable strategy for advanced functional materials.
  • This approach enables tunable properties including controlled nanostructure, broad-spectrum emission, and superior RTP performance.
  • The developed polymers hold significant potential for information security, biological imaging, optoelectronics, and sensors.