Functional polymer materials

Functional polymer materials originated in the late 1960s. By modifying reactive groups on the polymer, it has special functions with regard to chemical reactivity, catalytic activity, electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility. Compared with traditional polymer materials, functional polymer materials have attracted much attention because of their special properties brought by modified special groups besides.

The focus of current research is mainly on the relationship between the properties of functional polymers and their structures. Through continuous research and development of new structures and synthesis methods of functional polymers, emerging functional polymers with more functions are screened out and the application fields of functional polymer materials are broadened. With the advancement of science and technology, the field of functional polymer materials is undergoing innovation and development.

Classification of functional polymer materials

Functional polymer materials have both the performance of traditional polymer materials and the characteristics brought by special modifying groups. According to functional characteristics, they can be divided into reactive, optical, electrical, biomedical, environmental degradation, shape memory, adsorption and separation, liquid crystal, thermal conductive functional polymers. According to their structure, polymer materials can also be divided into three types: main chain type, side chain type and bonding type.

Reactive functional polymer materials

Reactive functional polymer materials mainly include polymer catalysts and polymer reagents. They achieve the purpose of polymerizing small molecular reagents or catalysts by grafting reactive active centers or catalytic centers to polymer chains.

Photoactive Polymers

Photofunctional polymer materials have the ability to absorb, store and convert light, mainly covering photosensitive coatings, fluorescent agents, photoconversion materials, photochromic materials, and photoconductive materials.

Electrofunctional Polymers

Electrically functional polymer materials mainly rely on self-provided conductive carriers to conduct electricity or by adding carbon black, metal powder, foil, etc. Polyacetylene, linear polyphenylene and various conductive plastics, rubbers, coatings and films all belong to this type.

Biomedical Polymers

Biomedical functional polymer materials are mainly used for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and can also be used as substitutes or auxiliary materials for biological tissues and organs. They are mainly used in artificial organs, drug release, biological tissue engineering and other fields.

Environmentally Degradable Materials

Environmentally degradable functional polymer materials refer to polymer materials that can be degraded by certain means, and are widely used in the field of bioengineering and as medical degradable polymer materials.

Shape-memory polymers

Shape memory functional polymer materials refer to materials that can restore the original shape by changing external conditions such as temperature, pH, electric field force, etc. They are used in packaging, construction and other industries.

Adsorptive Polymers

Adsorption and separation functional macromolecular materials are macromolecular materials with adsorption function, mainly including ion exchange resins and adsorption resins.

Liquid crystalline polymers

Liquid crystal functional polymer materials are mainly derived from the macroscopic composite of fiber matrix and resin matrix. Liquid crystal polymer materials have high strength, low thermal expansion coefficient and good electro-optical properties. They are mainly used for the production of liquid crystal displays and composite materials in the electronics industry.

Thermally conductive functional polymer materials

Thermally conductive functional polymer materials refer to polymer materials with good thermal conductivity. For instance, high thermal conductivity insulating adhesives belong to this type.

There are many kinds of functional polymer materials, which enjoys wide applications and broad prospects in fields like chemistry, electronics, aerospace, transportation, medicine, information and many others. The excellent performance of functional polymer materials can bring about technological progress in many areas, and promote the launch of new products. Alfa Chemistry never misses its role in bringing the best, new and novel chemicals and materials to its customers. Therefore, it develops a website to specially provide various functional polymers for researchers, including but not limited to: adsorptive polymers, biomedical polymers, electrofunctional polymers, functional PEGs, photoactive polymers, and silicone polymers.

As a global Contract Research Organization (Cro), headquartered in New York, Usa, Alfa Chemistry has served the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries for eight years.