Nature Communications (May 2020)

Mega macromolecules as single molecule lubricants for hard and soft surfaces

  • Parambath Anilkumar,
  • Taylor B. Lawson,
  • Srinivas Abbina,
  • Janne T. A. Mäkelä,
  • Robert C. Sabatelle,
  • Lily E. Takeuchi,
  • Brian D. Snyder,
  • Mark W. Grinstaff,
  • Jayachandran N. Kizhakkedathu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-15975-6
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Synthetic globular polymers of several million molecular weight are expected to exhibit unique properties but are difficult to synthesize. Here the authors synthesize such dendritic polymers that show unique lubrication properties and act as molecular ball bearings due to their 3D compact structure, size, solubility, hydration and low intrinsic viscosities.