The ability to simultaneously image physical and chemical changes inside of polymers in real time during catalytic polymerization would be far-reaching. It would enable not only understanding of dynamic chemical and physical changes inside polymers with high spatiotemporal resolution, but also how these two features impact each other. Here, the development of fluorescence intensity and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) that bridge these gaps is described. These techniques are developed to study real-time polymer growth through chemical imaging. These techniques have high spatial resolution for both chemical and physical changes—together these features of the method also provide a high sensitivity. Case studies include uncovering a distribution of catalytic polymerization behaviors via single-turnover counting of molecular ruthenium catalysts during ROMP, and imaging of the real-time changing physical parameters inside growing polymers that pinpointing the impact of these parameters on the catalytic chemical reactivity of monomer insertion.

Chemical imaging insights into polymerization

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.