Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
10:53
Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
Polymerization of and in mesophases
1School of Engineering Technology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA.
Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
|January 16, 2007
Summary
Surfactant mesophases enable the creation of unique nanostructured polymers. This review covers polymerizable surfactants and novel materials like nanocapsules and mesoporous polymers formed via templated polymerization.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Surfactant mesophases, including vesicular and lyotropic phases, serve as versatile templates.
- Conventional methods often limit the synthesis of complex nanostructured polymers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the use of surfactant mesophases as templates for polymer synthesis.
- To highlight recent advancements using polymerizable and polymeric surfactants.
- To showcase novel nanostructured materials and discuss polymerization effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on templated polymerization using surfactant mesophases.
- Discussion of polymerization in vesicular and lyotropic surfactant systems.
- Analysis of reaction thermodynamics and kinetics in templated polymerizations.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of nanocapsules, vesicle-polymer architectures, mesoporous polymers, and functional nanocomposites.
- Successful synthesis of materials not achievable through conventional techniques.
- Insights into how thermodynamics and kinetics influence templated polymerization outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Surfactant mesophases are effective templates for advanced polymer nanostructures.
- Polymerizable and polymeric surfactants offer new routes to complex materials.
- Templated polymerization provides access to novel materials with unique properties.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview
Recently, the development of olefin metathesis polymerization advanced the field of polymer synthesis. Simply put, the reorganization of substituents on their double bonds between two olefins in the presence of a catalyst is known as the olefin metathesis reaction. The use of metathesis reaction for polymer synthesis is called olefin metathesis polymerization.
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...
02:34Polymers
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,...
01:03Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
00:57Cationic 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,...
02:35Free-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.
01:08Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers
Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...