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

Micelles

Micelles

Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...

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: Mechanism

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: 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,...

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)

Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization or ADMET polymerization involves cross-metathesis of terminal dienes, such as 1,8-nonadiene, to give linear unsaturated polymer and ethylene. As ADMET is a reversible process, the formed ethylene gas must be removed from the reaction mixture to complete the polymerization process.
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...

Ion Exchange

Ion Exchange

Ion exchange chromatography separates charged molecules from a solution by reversibly exchanging them with mobile, or 'active', ions associated with the oppositely charged stationary phase. This method can be used to separate ions, soften and deionize water, and purify solutions. The polymers comprising the ion-exchange column are high-molecular-weight and chemically stable polymers, crosslinked to be porous and essentially insoluble. They are also functionalized with either acidic or basic...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

How cation and diluent determine nanostructure in surface-active ionic liquids.

Journal of colloid and interface science·2026

Same author

Nanostructure of Polyoxometalate-Ionic Liquids: Effects of Anion Geometry and Cation Chain Length.

The journal of physical chemistry letters·2026

Same author

From Salt-in-Water to Water-in-Salt: How Ion Identity Governs Surfactant Self-Assembly in Salt-Water-Nonionic Surfactant Mixtures.

The journal of physical chemistry letters·2025

Same author

Electrochemistry and structure of locally concentrated surface-active ionic liquids.

Journal of colloid and interface science·2025

Same author

Surfactant self-assembly in water-in-salt electrolytes.

Journal of colloid and interface science·2025

Same author

Multi-Scale Characterization of Ionic Liquid Interfacial Dynamics.

The journal of physical chemistry letters·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Published on: October 10, 2016

Polymerizable cationic micelles form cylinders at intermediate conversions.

Khwanrat Chatjaroenporn¹, Robert W Baker, Paul A FitzGerald

¹School of Chemistry F11, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids

|May 27, 2010

Summary

UV polymerization of omega-methacryloyloxyundecyltrimethylammonium bromide (MUTAB) creates coexisting spheroid and rodlike micelles. These distinct micelle populations remain in dynamic equilibrium during the reaction.

More Related Videos

Facile Synthesis of Worm-like Micelles by Visible Light Mediated Dispersion Polymerization Using Photoredox Catalyst

Facile Synthesis of Worm-like Micelles by Visible Light Mediated Dispersion Polymerization Using Photoredox Catalyst

Published on: June 8, 2016

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

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

Published on: June 20, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Published on: October 10, 2016

Facile Synthesis of Worm-like Micelles by Visible Light Mediated Dispersion Polymerization Using Photoredox Catalyst

Facile Synthesis of Worm-like Micelles by Visible Light Mediated Dispersion Polymerization Using Photoredox Catalyst

Published on: June 8, 2016

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

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

Published on: June 20, 2019

Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Materials Science
Physical Chemistry

Background:

Polymerizable surfactants offer unique routes to functional materials.
Understanding micelle structural dynamics during polymerization is crucial for material property control.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the structural evolution of omega-methacryloyloxyundecyltrimethylammonium bromide (MUTAB) micelles during UV-initiated polymerization.
To characterize the coexistence and equilibrium of different micellar structures.

Main Methods:

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was employed to monitor micelle structures.
UV-initiated polymerization in aqueous micellar solutions was performed.

Main Results:

Micelles transition from short spheroids to a mixture of spheroids and a significant population of rodlike micelles (up to 40 vol %).
Coexisting spheroid and rodlike micelle populations were observed both during and after polymerization.
Dynamic equilibrium was established between the coexisting micellar structures and dissolved monomer.

Conclusions:

The polymerization of MUTAB leads to a complex micellar system with coexisting populations.
The observed structures can be modeled as a ternary mixture of surfactant, amphiphilic polyelectrolyte, and water.
Dynamic equilibrium plays a key role in the structural evolution of these polymerizable surfactant systems.