Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

The polymerization process that involves carbanion as an intermediate is called anionic polymerization. It is also a type of addition or chain-growth polymerization. Anionic polymerization gets initiated by a strong nucleophile such as an organolithium or a Grignard reagent. The most commonly used initiator for anionic polymerization is butyl lithium. Monomers involved in anionic polymerization must possess a vinyl group bonded to one or two electron-withdrawing groups. For instance,...

Polymers

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Electro-driven direct lithium extraction from geothermal brines to generate battery-grade lithium hydroxide.

Nature communications·2025

Same author

Polydimethylsiloxane Polymerized Emulsions for Acoustic Materials Prepared Using Reactive Triblock Copolymer Surfactants.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2023

Same author

Synthesis and Applications of Elastomeric Polymerized High Internal Phase Emulsions (PolyHIPEs).

ACS omega·2023

Same author

Green Approach Toward Triazole Forming Reactions for Developing Anticancer Drugs.

Current organic synthesis·2023

Same author

Synthesis of patterned polyHIPE-hydrogel composite materials using thiol-ene chemistry.

Journal of colloid and interface science·2023

Same author

Hydrophilic Micro- and Macroelectrodes with Antibiofouling Properties for Biomedical Applications.

ACS biomaterials science & engineering·2022

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Preparation and Friction Force Microscopy Measurements of Immiscible, Opposing Polymer Brushes

Preparation and Friction Force Microscopy Measurements of Immiscible, Opposing Polymer Brushes

Published on: December 24, 2014

Stimuli-responsive polyelectrolyte polymer brushes prepared via atom-transfer radical polymerization.

Neil Ayres¹, Stephen G Boyes, William J Brittain

¹Department of Polymer Science, Goodyear Polymer Center, 170 University Avenue, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, USA.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids

|December 28, 2006

Summary

We developed stimuli-responsive polymer brushes capable of forming films. These poly(acrylic acid) brushes can synthesize metallic nanoparticles and respond to pH and electrolyte changes.

More Related Videos

Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties

Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties

Published on: January 8, 2016

Preparation of Thermoresponsive Nanostructured Surfaces for Tissue Engineering

Preparation of Thermoresponsive Nanostructured Surfaces for Tissue Engineering

Published on: March 1, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Preparation and Friction Force Microscopy Measurements of Immiscible, Opposing Polymer Brushes

Preparation and Friction Force Microscopy Measurements of Immiscible, Opposing Polymer Brushes

Published on: December 24, 2014

Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties

Electroactive Polymer Nanoparticles Exhibiting Photothermal Properties

Published on: January 8, 2016

Preparation of Thermoresponsive Nanostructured Surfaces for Tissue Engineering

Preparation of Thermoresponsive Nanostructured Surfaces for Tissue Engineering

Published on: March 1, 2016

Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Materials Science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Polyelectrolyte polymer brushes are crucial for developing advanced functional materials.
Stimuli-responsive films require precise control over polymer architecture and properties.
Existing synthesis methods for polymer brushes can involve harsh deprotection steps.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize stimuli-responsive poly(acrylic acid) polymer brushes using a chemical-free deprotection method.
To investigate the response of these polymer brushes to environmental stimuli like pH and electrolyte concentration.
To explore the application of these polymer brushes in the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of poly(acrylic acid) polymer brushes via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using a "grafting from" approach.
Chemical-free deprotection strategy to preserve anchoring ester groups.
Characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).

Main Results:

Successfully synthesized poly(acrylic acid) polymer brushes with intact anchoring groups.
Demonstrated stimuli-responsive behavior to variations in pH and electrolyte concentration.
Confirmed the successful synthesis and incorporation of silver and palladium nanoparticles within the polymer brushes.
Reported the synthesis of novel AB diblock polyampholyte polymer brushes.

Conclusions:

Developed a novel, chemical-free method for synthesizing stimuli-responsive polyelectrolyte polymer brushes.
Polymer brushes exhibit tunable responses to pH and electrolyte concentration, enabling film formation.
Polymer brushes serve as effective platforms for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles.
Extended the utility of polyelectrolyte brushes through the development of diblock polyampholytes.