Precision and control in polymer synthesis why it's important and some recent examples of how to do it

Abstract

This paper discusses some of the reasons why precision and control in polymer synthesis is of importance. By way of illustration it describes in outline recent results from the authors' laboratories in three areas. Namely; the controlled syntheses of poly(ary1ene viny1ene)s and the influence of cidtrans vinylene content on luminescence in such polymers; the living polymerisation of highly functionalised polymers in water and the regulation of the crystallisation of calcium carbonate from water by the resultant well-defined water soluble polymers; and a simple route to hyperbranched polymers and the influence of the structure and topology of the products on solution properties. In each case the influence of control of architecture on properties will be discussed. IntroductionAphorists tell us that we live in the "Age of Plastics" and it is true that plastics influence the lives of most of the inhabitants of the world. This is a truly remarkable state of affairs, which happened relatively recently and very rapidly. Thus the ubiquitous polyethylene only saw the light of day in 1933 but has experienced a spectacular growth in production and use over the last half century.') The methods of making and manipulating it have become increasingly sophisticated and the areas of application have spread from candle wax, wire insulation, washing-up bowls and buckets in the early days to high quality materials suitable, for example, for hauling elevators and even replacing

Hydrogels for Soft Machines

“…Water-soluble polymers and hydrogels have also been made by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. [89][90][91][92] One would also expect that it is possible to form stable hydrogels based on polyamides and other polymers formed by condensation chemistry, which might form tough microstructures.…”

Polymer Gel Actuators: Fundamentals

“…Water-soluble polymers and hydrogels have also been made by ring-opening metathesis polymerization [77][78][79][80]. It would also be expected that it is possible to form stable hydrogels based on polyamides and other polymers formed by condensation chemistry that might form tough microstructures.…”

Synthesis of controlled-structure sulfate-based copolymers via atom transfer radical polymerisation and their use as crystal habit modifiers for BaSO4

“…9 A number of recent reports have demonstrated that 'doublehydrophilic' block copolymers can be effective in controlling inorganic crystal morphologies. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Suitable copolymers have been used to produce calcium carbonate 10,17 calcium phosphate, 12 zinc oxide 18 and BaSO 4 10,12,15 particles with a wide range of morphologies. The copolymers used all have one (typically ionic) block that interacts strongly with the particle surface and a second non-ionic block that does not bind to the mineral, but indirectly affects crystal growth by acting as a steric stabiliser.…”