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Related Concept Videos

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular 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...
Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution01:10

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

For any given polymer, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is higher than, if not equal to, the number average molecular weight (Mn). The only situation in which the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are equal is when a polymer consists only of chains with equal molecular weight. However, this never happens in a synthetic polymer, since it is difficult to control the polymerization process up to a molecular level with accuracy to a hundred percent.
Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
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Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area

Dissolution kinetics, an essential aspect of oral drug delivery, is significantly influenced by the drug's particle size. According to the Noyes-Whitney dissolution model, the dissolution rate correlates directly with the drug's surface area. The larger the surface area, the higher the drug's solubility in water, leading to a faster drug dissolution rate. Reducing particle size increases the effective surface area, enhancing the dissolution process. Micronization and nanosizing are employed to...
Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

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.
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: May 9, 2026

Characteristics of Precipitation-formed Polyethylene Glycol Microgels Are Controlled by Molecular Weight of Reactants
11:32

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Published on: December 23, 2013

Interactions between solid surfaces mediated by polyethylene oxide polymers: effect of polymer concentration.

Xiaoling Wei1, Xiangjun Gong, To Ngai

  • 1Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|August 7, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer solutions alter forces between surfaces. Repulsion dominates at low concentrations, while attraction appears at intermediate concentrations, disappearing at high concentrations due to polymer chain overlap.

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Published on: October 10, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Surface Science
  • Polymer Physics
  • Colloid Science

Background:

  • Understanding polymer-surface interactions is crucial in fields like nanotechnology and biomaterials.
  • Polyethylene oxide (PEO) is a widely used polymer with unique solution properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically investigate the influence of polyethylene oxide (PEO) concentration on the interaction forces between a microsphere and a hydrophilic surface.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms governing these forces, including repulsion, attraction, and structural effects.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing total internal reflection microscopy (TIRM) for precise force measurements.
  • Systematically varying PEO concentration in solution.

Main Results:

  • At low PEO concentrations, diffuse layer overlap leads to repulsive forces.
  • Intermediate concentrations exhibit weak, long-range depletion attraction, not fully explained by simple models.
  • High concentrations show disappearance of attraction and microsphere levitation, attributed to reduced correlation length.
  • Very high concentrations reveal oscillatory structural forces, indicating PEO chain ordering under confinement.

Conclusions:

  • PEO concentration is a critical factor modulating forces between surfaces.
  • Depletion attraction and structural ordering are key phenomena in confined PEO solutions.
  • TIRM provides valuable insights into complex polymer-surface interactions.