"A polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules called macromolecules..."
The different types of arrangements that polymer chains can form, such as linear, branched, or cross-linked.
Polymerization: The process by which individual molecules (monomers) are linked together to form a polymer chain.
Molecular Weight and Distribution: The average mass of polymer chains in a given sample, and the variability of those masses within the same sample, respectively.
Morphology: The structure and arrangement of polymer chains within a bulk material or across the interface between two different phases.
Polymer Characterization Techniques: Various analytical methods, such as chromatography and spectroscopy, used to measure different aspects of polymer structure and properties.
Polymer Blends and Composites: The combination of two or more different polymers or a polymer with a non-polymeric material to create new materials with unique properties.
Polymerization Mechanisms: The different reaction pathways by which monomers can be polymerized, such as chain-growth, step-growth, and living polymerization.
Copolymers: Polymers composed of two or more different monomers, which can be either randomly distributed or arranged in a block, alternating, or gradient sequence.
Polymer Building Blocks: The various monomers that can be used to create different types of polymers, including simple alkenes, epoxides, and anhydrides.
Polymer Structure-Property Relationships: The interdependence of polymer structure and molecular architecture with the properties of bulk materials, including mechanical strength, thermal stability, and optical transparency.
Polymer Applications: The numerous applications of polymers in fields such as packaging, textiles, biomedical materials, and electronics.
Linear Polymers: These are the simplest and most common polymer structures, consisting of a long chain of monomer units.
Branched Polymers: In this type of polymer structure, there are several chains of monomers branching out from a central point.
Cross-linked Polymers: Cross-linked polymers have chains of monomers that are linked together in a three-dimensional network, which gives them increased strength and stability.
Dendritic Polymers: Dendritic polymers are highly branched structures with a tree-like appearance. They are characterized by their highly branched structure and high level of symmetry.
Block Copolymers: This type of polymer structure consists of two or more different types of monomer units that are joined together in blocks.
Gradient Copolymers: Gradient copolymers have a gradually changing composition along their polymer chain.
Graft Copolymers: Graft copolymers have a main chain of one type of monomer unit with side chains of another type of monomer unit.
Star Polymers: Star-shaped polymers have a central core from which multiple chains of monomer units radiate outwards.
Comb Polymers: In comb polymers, the main chain consists of one type of monomer unit, and side chains of a different type of monomer unit branch off from the main chain.
Amphiphilic Polymers: These are polymers that have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts. They are commonly used in applications such as drug delivery, emulsifiers, and surfactants.
"Polymers range from familiar synthetic plastics such as polystyrene to natural biopolymers such as DNA and proteins..."
"Polymers, both natural and synthetic, are created via polymerization of many small molecules, known as monomers."
"Their consequently large molecular mass, relative to small molecule compounds, produces unique physical properties including toughness, high elasticity, viscoelasticity, and a tendency to form amorphous and semicrystalline structures rather than crystals."
"The term 'polymer' derives from the Greek word πολύς (polus, meaning 'many, much') and μέρος (meros, meaning 'part')."
"The term was coined in 1833 by Jöns Jacob Berzelius..."
"The modern concept of polymers as covalently bonded macromolecular structures was proposed in 1920 by Hermann Staudinger..."
"Polymers are studied in the fields of polymer science (which includes polymer chemistry and polymer physics), biophysics and materials science and engineering."
"Historically, products arising from the linkage of repeating units by covalent chemical bonds have been the primary focus of polymer science."
"An emerging important area now focuses on supramolecular polymers formed by non-covalent links."
"Polyisoprene of latex rubber is an example of a natural polymer..."
"The polystyrene of styrofoam is an example of a synthetic polymer."
"In biological contexts, essentially all biological macromolecules—i.e., proteins (polyamides), nucleic acids (polynucleotides), and polysaccharides—are purely polymeric..."
"...proteins (polyamides)..."
"...nucleic acids (polynucleotides)..."
"...polysaccharides..."
"Due to their broad spectrum of properties, both synthetic and natural polymers play essential and ubiquitous roles in everyday life."
"...unique physical properties including toughness, high elasticity, viscoelasticity, and a tendency to form amorphous and semicrystalline structures rather than crystals."
"Polymer science (which includes polymer chemistry and polymer physics), biophysics, and materials science and engineering."
"Their consequently large molecular mass, relative to small molecule compounds, produces unique physical properties..."