Session 1C: Inaugural Lectures by Fellows/Associates

Covalent And Non-covalent Polymers: Syntheses And Applications

The properties of solid materials are decided by their molecular packing. Order imparts special properties to materials and polymers are no exception. However, the polymer products formed in traditional solution-phase polymer synthesis are usually amorphous in nature. We have been interested in synthesizing ordered covalent polymers and noncovalent polymers. The reversibility, order and the weak linkage of non-covalent polymers are often advantageous for some applications. Exploiting these features, we have developed a few non-covalent polymers (gels) and demonstrated their application in soft optics, oil spill recovery, CO2 absorption, deionization of water, etc. We have also developed topochemical azide–alkyne cycloaddition (TAAC) reaction for synthesizing ordered covalent polymers in the solid state. We have synthesized several biopolymer mimics by using TAAC reaction and applications of a few have been demonstrated. In this talk, the speaker will be giving a glimpse of the work on these areas.