poikittaissidonta
Poikittaissidonta (cross-linking) is a chemical process by which bonds form between polymer chains or biomolecules, linking them into a three-dimensional network. The bonds can be covalent, ionic, hydrogen-bonded, or physical in nature, and they alter the mobility and properties of the material.
Covalent crosslinks involve bonds that share electrons and tend to produce durable networks, as seen in vulcanized
Cross-linking can be achieved chemically using bifunctional or multifunctional crosslinkers, enzymatically with specific enzymes, or physically
The degree of cross-linking, or cross-link density, controls mechanical properties, swelling behavior, permeability, and thermal stability.
Applications span materials science, dentistry, and biomedicine. Examples include vulcanized rubber, epoxy and polyurethane networks, hydrogel