copolymer

[koh-pol-uh-mer]

noun

1. a chemical compound of high molecular weight produced by polymerizing two or more different monomers together.

copolymer

/ kəʊˈpɒlɪmə /

noun

1. a chemical compound of high molecular weight formed by uniting the molecules of two or more different compounds (monomers) Compare polymer oligomer

copolymer

1. A polymer of two or more different monomers. The synthetic rubber used to make tire treads and shoe soles, for example, is a copolymer made of the monomers butadiene and styrene.

Word History and Origins

Origin of copolymer¹

First recorded in 1935–40; co- + polymer

Example Sentences

This became possible through the use of random copolymers of polyethylene glycol, which adsorbs water well, and polypropylene glycol, which adsorbs water slightly less well.

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Utilizing block copolymers, the research team has achieved the self-assembly of photonic crystal structures on a large scale, mimicking natural phenomena observed in butterfly wings and bird feathers.

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Because the copolymer has two units -- one that is electroactive and one which is the original thermo-responsive unit -- there are now two pathways available to control solvation.

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In both dispersions, the base polymer was a copolymer composed of the inexpensive, commercially available components styrene and butyl acrylate.

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Sequencing copolymers is so difficult in large part because of heterogeneity in synthetic polymers, Chen said.

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