Chemists have recently solved a long-standing problem in polymer science - the mystery of how a type of rigid polymer forms. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the material sciences, leading to the development of new materials with remarkable properties.

In a breakthrough published in Nature Chemistry, a team of chemists from the University of Manchester have found the answer to one of polymer science’s most enduring puzzles - understanding how linear rigid polymers self-assemble. Rigid polymers are molecules made up of interconnected, linear strands that are able to form into ordered structures. Until now, the process of how these polymers formed was unknown, leaving researchers at a loss as to how to control the process and develop materials with desirable properties.

But the team of chemists from Manchester have finally cracked the code on this long-standing mystery. By uncovering the mechanism by which rigid polymers self-assemble, they have opened up a new realm of possibilities for material scientists. With this newfound understanding, researchers can develop polymers with remarkable properties, leading to potential applications in a wide range of industries.

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source: Phys.org