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Knotted Polymers
Single Chain Cyclized/Knotted Polymers are a new class of polymer architecture with a general structure consisting of multiple intramolecular cyclization units within a single polymer chain. Such a structure was synthesized via the controlled polymerization of multivinyl monomers, which was first reported in Dr. Wenxin Wang's research lab. These multiple intramolecular cyclized/knotted units mimic the characteristics of complex knots found in proteins and DNA which provide some elasticity to these structures. Of note, 85% of elasticity in natural rubber is due to knot-like structures within its molecular chain. An intramolecular cyclization reaction is where the growing polymer chain reacts with a vinyl functional group on its own chain, rather than with another growing chain in the reaction system. In this way the growing polymer chain covalently links to itself in a fashion similar to that of a knot in a piece of string. As such, single chain cyclized/knotted polymers consist of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polymer Architecture
Polymer architecture in polymer science relates to the way branching leads to a deviation from a strictly linear polymer chain. Branching may occur randomly or reactions may be designed so that specific architectures are targeted. It is an important microstructural feature. A polymer's architecture affects many of its physical properties including solution viscosity, melt viscosity, solubility in various solvents, glass transition temperature and the size of individual polymer coils in solution. Different polymer architectures Random branching Branches can form when the growing end of a polymer molecule reaches either (a) back around onto itself or (b) onto another polymer chain, both of which, via abstraction of a hydrogen, can create a mid-chain growth site. Branching can be quantified by the branching index. Cross linked polymer An effect related to branching is chemical crosslinking - the formation of covalent bonds between chains. Crosslinking tends to increase Tg and in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
