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

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

2.2K
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,...
2.2K
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

3.8K
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...
3.8K
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.5K
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...
2.5K
Polymers02:34

Polymers

38.0K
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...
38.0K
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

2.5K
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...
2.5K
Hydrolysis01:15

Hydrolysis

118.6K
Overview
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction in which the addition of water breaks down a polymer into its simpler monomer units. For example, peptides break into amino acids, carbohydrates into simple sugars, and DNA into nucleotides. Enzymes often facilitate these processes.
Hydrolysis Reverses Dehydration Synthesis
Complex carbohydrates can be broken down by breaking the bonds between individual sugar units. The reaction breaks a glycosidic bond as water is added to the compound. The...
118.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Hygrothermal Degradation Behavior and Structural Evolution of Electrospun Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Fiber Mats.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2025
Same author

Luminescence and Nanoheterogeneity in Manganese-Containing Ionic Liquid Mixtures.

The journal of physical chemistry. B·2025
Same author

Characterization of Polymer Structure at Buried Interfaces in Films by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Combined with Gas Cluster Ion Beam.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2025
Same author

Internal Structure Dependence of Biodegradation for Polyamide 4 Thin Films in Seawater.

Biomacromolecules·2025
Same author

Difference in structural changes of surfactant aggregates near solid surface under shear flow versus those in the bulk.

The Journal of chemical physics·2024
Same author

Effect of segmental motion on hydrolytic degradation of polyglycolide in electro-spun fiber mats.

Soft matter·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 10, 2025

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers
10:09

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers

Published on: June 30, 2018

8.4K

Modification of a Polymer Surface by Partial Swelling Using Nonsolvents.

Hidenobu Taneda1, Norifumi L Yamada2, Fumiya Nemoto2

  • 1Department of Applied Chemistry, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 14, 2021
PubMed
Summary

This study modified polystyrene (PS) films by incorporating poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) into the surface. This surface functionalization enhances antibiofouling properties, preventing platelet adhesion on the polymer film.

More Related Videos

3D Printing and In Situ Surface Modification via Type I Photoinitiated Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization
07:28

3D Printing and In Situ Surface Modification via Type I Photoinitiated Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization

Published on: February 18, 2022

3.9K
Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process
12:00

Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process

Published on: March 21, 2014

12.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 10, 2025

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers
10:09

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers

Published on: June 30, 2018

8.4K
3D Printing and In Situ Surface Modification via Type I Photoinitiated Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization
07:28

3D Printing and In Situ Surface Modification via Type I Photoinitiated Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization

Published on: February 18, 2022

3.9K
Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process
12:00

Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process

Published on: March 21, 2014

12.0K

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Materials Science
  • Surface Chemistry

Background:

  • Surface modification is crucial for developing advanced polymer devices.
  • Achieving surface functionalization without altering bulk properties presents a significant challenge.
  • Previous work demonstrated successful surface modification of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To extend a novel surface functionalization technique to polystyrene (PS) films.
  • To overcome challenges in solvent selection for PS and poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) compatibility.
  • To impart excellent antibiofouling properties to PS surfaces.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated swelling behavior of PS films in various alcohols to identify a suitable non-solvent.
  • Utilized a mixed solvent of methanol/1-butanol (50/50 v/v) for selective PMEA incorporation.
  • Employed Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Neutron Reflectivity (NR) for surface analysis.

Main Results:

  • Successfully incorporated PMEA chains into the outermost region of PS films.
  • Confirmed that incorporated PMEA chains were well-swollen in aqueous environments.
  • Demonstrated excellent suppression of platelet adhesion on the modified PS surface.

Conclusions:

  • The developed method enables effective surface functionalization of PS films.
  • The PMEA-modified PS surface exhibits superior antibiofouling characteristics.
  • This technique holds promise for creating advanced polymer materials with tailored surface properties.