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Controlling Polymer Molecular Weight Distribution through a Latent Mediator Strategy with Temporal Programming
Author(s) -
Chen Miao,
Li Jiajia,
Ma Kaiqi,
Jin Guoqin,
Pan Xiangqiang,
Zhang Zhengbiao,
Zhu Jian
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.202107106
Subject(s) - polymer , cationic polymerization , polymerization , fidelity , biological system , molar mass distribution , materials science , computer science , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , polymer chemistry , composite material , telecommunications , engineering , biology
Polymer molecular weight distribution (MWD) is a key parameter of polymers. Here we present a robust method for controlling polymer MWD in controlled cationic polymerizations. A latent mediator strategy was designed and combined with temporal programming to regenerate mediators at different times during polymerization. Both the breadths and shapes of MWD curves were tuned easily by adjusting an external light source. Bimodal, trimodal, and tetramodal distributions were obtained, and the breadths could be varied from 1.06 to 2.09. Polymers with different MWDs prepared by this method had good chain end fidelity, which was demonstrated with successful chain‐extension experiments. In addition, the introduction of temporal programming with a computer‐controlled single chip for the light source opened an avenue for the use of artificial intelligence in polymer synthesis.