Gradient Copolymers – Preparation, Properties and Practice

Publication date: Available online 16 April 2019Source: European Polymer JournalAuthor(s): Md. Mahbub Alam, Kevin S. Jack, David J.T. Hill, Andrew K. Whittaker, Hui PengAbstractGradient copolymers are members of a unique class of copolymer in which the monomer composition changes gradually from one end of the polymer chain to the other. In general, the properties of copolymers are strongly dependent on composition and sequence distribution, and hence gradient copolymers can exhibit unique properties compared to those of block and statistical copolymers. This review presents an overview of the methods of synthesis of gradient copolymers using the range of available polymerization techniques, and compares and contrasts the properties of gradient copolymers with properties of the analogous block and statistical copolymers.Graphical abstract

Source: European Polymer Journal - April 16, 2019 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research