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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: 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,...
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.
Protein Complex Assembly02:41

Protein Complex Assembly

Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types.  Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Polymers02:34

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,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
11:42

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

Published on: June 20, 2019

Self-assembly in block polyelectrolytes.

Shuang Yang1, Aleksey Vishnyakov, Alexander V Neimark

  • 1Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 98 Brett Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.

The Journal of Chemical Physics
|February 10, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Self-consistent field theory reveals polyelectrolyte copolymer self-assembly. Increasing charge density on copolymers mimics neutral copolymer phase transitions, with unique behaviors in triblock systems.

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Assembly and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles
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Assembly and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles

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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
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Assembly and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles
08:44

Assembly and Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles

Published on: March 2, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Science
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Polyelectrolyte copolymers self-assemble into complex morphologies.
  • Understanding these structures is crucial for advanced materials.
  • Existing models often simplify charge effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the self-assembly of charged block copolymers using self-consistent field theory (SCFT).
  • To investigate the influence of charge density and composition on phase behavior.
  • To extend SCFT to dissociating triblock copolymers.

Main Methods:

  • Self-consistent field theory (SCFT) combined with the Poisson-Boltzmann equation.
  • Analysis of diblock copolymer melts, symmetric triblock copolymer melts, and triblock copolymer solutions.
  • Systematic variation of composition, charge density, and solvent concentration.

Main Results:

  • Phase diagrams for charged block copolymer melts show similarities to neutral systems, with morphology transitions ordered by charge density.
  • Unexpected phase transitions (e.g., hexagonal to gyroid to lamellar) observed in triblock copolymers with increasing charge density.
  • Polyelectrolyte solutions exhibit morphology transitions at lower polymer concentrations compared to neutral analogs.

Conclusions:

  • Charge density significantly influences polyelectrolyte copolymer self-assembly and phase behavior.
  • SCFT provides a robust framework for predicting complex morphologies in charged systems.
  • Findings offer insights into designing novel self-assembled materials.