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

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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...

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Spiropyran-based glutamate nanovalve for neuronal stimulation.

Materials horizons·2025

Same author

Ultrafast emergence of ferromagnetism in antiferromagnetic FeRh in high magnetic fields.

Npj spintronics·2025

Same author

Bis-(3-methyl-1-propyl-1,3-di-hydro-1<i>H</i>-imidazol-2-yl-idene)silver(I) chlor-ido(5,10,15,20-tetra-phenyl-porphin-ato)cadmate(II).

IUCrData·2022

Same author

1,1'-Methyl-enebis(4-<i>tert</i>-butyl-pyridinium) dichloride hemihydrate.

IUCrData·2022

Same author

Distinctive <i>g</i>-Factor of Moiré-Confined Excitons in van der Waals Heterostructures.

Nano letters·2022

Same author

Revealing the impact of strain in the optical properties of bubbles in monolayer MoSe<sub>2</sub>.

Nanoscale·2022

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

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

Published on: April 21, 2021

Shaping polymersomes into predictable morphologies via out-of-equilibrium self-assembly.

R S M Rikken^1,2, H Engelkamp^1,2, R J M Nolte¹

¹Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Nature Communications

|August 26, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a new method to precisely control polymersome shape using osmotic pressure and permeability. This breakthrough allows for predictable shape transformations, opening doors for novel nanocapsule designs.

More Related Videos

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

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

Published on: February 7, 2017

Forming Giant-sized Polymersomes Using Gel-assisted Rehydration

Forming Giant-sized Polymersomes Using Gel-assisted Rehydration

Published on: May 26, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure

Published on: April 21, 2021

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

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

Published on: February 7, 2017

Forming Giant-sized Polymersomes Using Gel-assisted Rehydration

Forming Giant-sized Polymersomes Using Gel-assisted Rehydration

Published on: May 26, 2016

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Physical Chemistry

Background:

Polymersomes are self-assembled bilayer vesicles from amphiphilic block copolymers.
These nanocapsules offer tunable properties like flexibility, permeability, and size.
A key limitation has been the lack of methods to control polymersome shape.

Purpose of the Study:

To establish a precise and mechanistically understood method for controlling polymersome shape.
To explore the shape transformation process and its underlying physical principles.
To provide design rules for achieving diverse polymersome morphologies.

Main Methods:

Utilizing an out-of-equilibrium process involving controlled osmotic pressure and permeability.
Inducing controlled deflation and subsequent reinflation of polymersomes.
Employing magnetic birefringence to probe transient shapes and quantitative electron microscopy for morphology analysis.

Main Results:

Demonstrated precise control over polymersome shape transformation.
Observed a hysteretic deflation-inflation trajectory, consistent with bending energy models.
Successfully accessed intermediate shapes and provided a phase diagram for shape control.

Conclusions:

The developed procedure offers unprecedented control over polymersome morphology.
The findings provide a mechanistic understanding of shape transformation driven by bending energy.
This work lays the foundation for designing polymersomes with specific, predictable shapes for various applications.