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Related Concept Videos

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.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
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Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

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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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Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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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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Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers01:24

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

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Copolymers are the products obtained from the polymerization of multiple monomer species. So, in a polymer chain itself, there can be multiple repeating units that come from different monomers. The process of synthesizing a polymer from different monomer species is called copolymerization. When two monomers are involved, the polymer is known as a bipolymer. Polymers with three and four monomers are termed terpolymers and quaterpolymers, respectively. Figure 1 depicts the copolymerization of...
3.5K
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.6K
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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Process-Directed Self-Assembly of Copolymer Blends: II. Continuous Tuning of Structure Size.

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Adding longer block copolymers to blends significantly enlarges nanostructure sizes, especially during evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA). This strategy offers a 70% pore size increase in membranes, with potential for more, enhancing material design.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Block copolymers self-assemble into ordered nanostructures.
  • Processing methods significantly influence final morphology and size.
  • Tailoring nanostructure size is crucial for advanced material applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the effect of blending long linear A2B2 copolymers with shorter A1B1 copolymers on self-assembled morphology and structure size.
  • Analyze the influence of various processing techniques (quenching, annealing, EISA, NIPS) on structure evolution.
  • Explore the potential for tailoring membrane pore size using copolymer blending.

Main Methods:

  • Self-consistent field theory (SCFT) for equilibrium phase diagrams.
  • Single-chain-in-mean-field (SCMF) simulations for processing effects.
  • Particle-based simulations to study structure evolution under different processing conditions.

Main Results:

  • Blending A2B2 copolymers with A1B1 copolymers enlarges equilibrium cylinder radius by over 3-fold.
  • Structure size shows strong dependence on processing pathways; EISA yields higher magnification than quenching or annealing.
  • Blending increases pore size in NIPS-fabricated membranes by up to 70%, with potential for over 2-fold increase.

Conclusions:

  • Copolymer blending is an effective strategy to enlarge nanostructures and tailor properties.
  • Processing conditions play a critical role in achieving desired structure magnification.
  • This approach provides design principles for creating advanced block copolymer materials and membranes.