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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 properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...

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 properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...

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 properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...

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.

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...

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes

Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes

Published on: December 15, 2015

Porous Organic Polymers: From Molecular Design to Scalable Technologies.

Hossein Mashhadimoslem^1,2, Hadi Shayesteh³, Simindokht Zarei-Shokat⁴

¹Chemical Engineering Department, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|July 6, 2026

Summary

Porous organic polymers (POPs) show great potential in energy storage, catalysis, and sensing due to tunable pore structures. This review analyzes synthesis strategies and applications, guiding future research for scalable POP technologies.

Keywords:

emerging applications morphology organic materials porous organic polymers synthesis

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Published on: July 14, 2015

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Chemistry

Background:

Porous organic polymers (POPs) have been explored for over two decades.
Their tunable pore structure allows for selective molecular interactions, enabling diverse applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a critical analysis of emerging strategies for POP synthesis and post-synthesis modification.
To highlight the impact of structural topology and chemical composition on POP performance.
To offer a comprehensive understanding of POP scope and strategic uses.

Main Methods:

Categorization of recent advances in polymeric and composite POP architectures.
Discussion of the relationship between fabrication pathways and material functionality.
Analysis of challenges hindering the transition from laboratory to scalable technologies.

Main Results:

Emerging strategies in POP synthesis and modification are critically reviewed.
The structure-property-performance relationships in POPs are elucidated.
Key challenges and limitations for scalable POP applications are identified.

Conclusions:

Connecting fabrication processes with POP performance deepens understanding of challenges.
Future research directions for POPs are clarified, focusing on overcoming scalability hurdles.
Emerging applications and their associated limitations are explored to guide innovation.