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Related Concept Videos

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers01:24

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

Copolymers are the products obtained from the polymerization of multiple monomer species. So, in a polymer chain itself, there can be multiple repeating units that come from different monomers. The process of synthesizing a polymer from different monomer species is called copolymerization. When two monomers are involved, the polymer is known as a bipolymer. Polymers with three and four monomers are termed terpolymers and quaterpolymers, respectively. Figure 1 depicts the copolymerization of...
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

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: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael acceptor.
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

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,...
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers

Published on: June 20, 2019

Block copolymer systems: from single chain to self-assembled nanostructures.

Cristiano Giacomelli1, Vanessa Schmidt, Karim Aissou

  • 1Instituto de Química e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Alagoas (UFAL), 57072-970 Maceió, AL, Brazil.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|April 7, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Macromolecular engineering enables the creation of nanostructured materials from block copolymers. This research explores controlling nano-object properties through self-assembly and advanced fabrication strategies.

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Using Polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid)-coated Metal Nanoparticles as Monomers for Their Homo- and Co-polymerization
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Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
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Using Polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid)-coated Metal Nanoparticles as Monomers for Their Homo- and Co-polymerization
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Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
09:22

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives

Published on: February 7, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Block copolymers are versatile building blocks for nanostructured materials.
  • Self-assembly of block copolymers dictates the properties of resulting nano-objects.
  • Controlling composition, functionality, and topology is crucial for advanced nanomaterials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in macromolecular engineering for nanostructured material fabrication.
  • To discuss the relationship between block copolymer properties and nano-object characteristics.
  • To highlight strategies for controlling nanomaterial properties at various sophistication levels.

Main Methods:

  • Exploration of block copolymer self-assembly in solution and bulk.
  • Macromolecular architectural design for morphology control in micellar nanoparticles.
  • Functionalization of nanoparticle shells with biomolecules (polysaccharides, proteins).
  • Development of polymer chain manipulation strategies for thin films using block-selective chemical reactivity.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated control over micellar nanoparticle morphology, functionality, and loading capacity.
  • Achieved precise positioning of nanodomains in thin films with reduced defects.
  • Established links between copolymer physical-chemical properties and nano-object characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • Macromolecular engineering offers powerful tools for designing sophisticated nanostructured materials.
  • Advanced strategies enable precise control over nanomaterial composition, functionality, and topology.
  • Future directions involve translating research into consumer products and addressing community challenges.