Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

4.1K
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...
4.1K
Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:17

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

4.2K
Ziegler–Natta polymerization is another form of addition or chain‐growth polymerization used for synthesizing linear polymers over branched polymers. The catalyst used for polymerization is the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, named after Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta, who developed it in 1953. This catalyst is an organometallic complex of titanium tetrachloride and triethyl aluminum, with the active form of the catalyst being an alkyl titanium compound. Using the Ziegler–Natta...
4.2K
Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution01:10

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

5.1K
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.
5.1K
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.6K
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...
2.6K
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

2.8K
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,...
2.8K
Polymers02:34

Polymers

42.9K
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...
42.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Diversity of Mycotoxigenic <i>Penicillium</i> and Associated Mycobiota in Dry-Cured Meat (<i>Cecina,</i> León, Spain) Revealed by a Polyphasic Approach.

Foods (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Vitrimeric Behavior Revealed by Fast Scanning Calorimetry in Branched Polyglycerol Networks Cross-Linked by Reversible Enamine Bonds.

Macromolecules·2026
Same author

Diversity Among Clinical and Fresh Produce Isolates of <i>Stenotrophomonas</i>: Insights Through a One Health Perspective.

Foods (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Weathered microplastics alter deep sea benthic biogeochemistry and organic matter cycling: insights from a microcosm experiment.

Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)·2025
Same author

Cost-Effective Conductive Paste for Radiofrequency Devices Using Carbon-Based Materials.

Small science·2025
Same author

Chain dynamics in polyisoprene stars with arms linked by dynamic covalent bonds to the central core.

Soft matter·2025
Same journal

Chlorinated VSLSs Surpass HCFCs in CFC-11-Equivalent Emissions for Ozone Layer Depletion in China.

Nature communications·2026
Same journal

Author Correction: Charge transfer in triphenylamine-tetrazine covalent organic frameworks for solar-driven hydrogen peroxide production.

Nature communications·2026
Same journal

Vegetation browning patterns under compound soil and atmospheric dryness in northern permafrost ecosystems.

Nature communications·2026
Same journal

Voltage imaging of CA1 pyramidal cells and SST+ interneurons reveals stability and plasticity mechanisms of spatial firing.

Nature communications·2026
Same journal

Radical-omics reveals the hydrogen-abstraction pathway of isoprene oxidation.

Nature communications·2026
Same journal

Toughening elastomer via sequentially activated multi-pathway energy dissipation.

Nature communications·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 22, 2026

DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers
08:00

DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers

Published on: October 25, 2017

7.3K

Network dynamics in nanofilled polymers.

Guilhem P Baeza1, Claudia Dessi1,2, Salvatore Costanzo1,2

  • 1Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Heraklion, Crete 70013, Greece.

Nature Communications
|April 26, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Adding nanoparticles to polymers improves properties. At higher loadings, nanoparticle interactions create a network, changing flow dynamics from polymer-like to particle-dominated behavior.

More Related Videos

Advanced Compositional Analysis of Nanoparticle-polymer Composites Using Direct Fluorescence Imaging
07:41

Advanced Compositional Analysis of Nanoparticle-polymer Composites Using Direct Fluorescence Imaging

Published on: July 19, 2016

8.2K
Controlled Synthesis and Fluorescence Tracking of Highly Uniform PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Microgels
11:34

Controlled Synthesis and Fluorescence Tracking of Highly Uniform PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Microgels

Published on: September 8, 2016

10.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2026

DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers
08:00

DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers

Published on: October 25, 2017

7.3K
Advanced Compositional Analysis of Nanoparticle-polymer Composites Using Direct Fluorescence Imaging
07:41

Advanced Compositional Analysis of Nanoparticle-polymer Composites Using Direct Fluorescence Imaging

Published on: July 19, 2016

8.2K
Controlled Synthesis and Fluorescence Tracking of Highly Uniform PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Microgels
11:34

Controlled Synthesis and Fluorescence Tracking of Highly Uniform PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Microgels

Published on: September 8, 2016

10.8K

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated into polymer melts significantly enhance material properties.
  • Understanding the mechanisms behind mechanical reinforcement in polymer nanocomposites is crucial for material design.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the causes of mechanical reinforcement in polymer nanocomposites.
  • To analyze the rheological behavior of silica NPs in poly(2-vinylpyridine) melts.

Main Methods:

  • Rheological measurements were performed on mixtures of spherical silica NPs and poly(2-vinylpyridine).
  • Dynamic and structural probes were utilized to complement rheological data.
  • Analysis focused on the influence of NP loading and interparticle separation on system dynamics.

Main Results:

  • At low silica loadings, dynamics resemble polymer melts with increased friction.
  • At higher loadings, dynamics transition to a network-like behavior as NP separation decreases.
  • At approximately 31 vol% silica, dynamics become particle-dominated (Arrhenius-like) when NP separation approaches the polymer's Kuhn length.

Conclusions:

  • The flow properties of polymer nanocomposites are complex and highly dependent on filler loading.
  • The mechanical reinforcement and rheological behavior are governed by the formation of NP networks tied by polymer bridges.
  • Tuning filler loading offers a method to control the flow characteristics of nanocomposites.