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

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

8.3K
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.
8.3K
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
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:09

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.8K
The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this...
2.8K
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

3.7K
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...
3.7K
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:10

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

2.7K
Chain-growth or addition polymerization is successive addition reactions of monomers with a polymer chain. In radical chain-growth polymerization, the reaction proceeds via a free-radical intermediate. The free radical is formed from radical initiators, which spontaneously generate free radicals by homolytic fission. Organic peroxides (such as dibenzoyl peroxide, as shown in Figure 1) or azo compounds are popular radical initiators. A low concentration ratio of radical initiator to monomer is...
2.7K
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.1K
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...
2.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Systematic Tuning of Electronic Ground and Excited States in Donor-Acceptor Dyes; Steps toward Designer Compounds for Modern Technologies.

The journal of physical chemistry. A·2023
Same author

Syntheses and crystal structure of a (2,6-diiso-propyldi-naphtho-[2,1-<i>d</i>:1',2'-<i>f</i>][1,3]dithiepin-4-yl)(phen-yl)methanol atropisomer.

Acta crystallographica. Section E, Crystallographic communications·2023
Same author

Syntheses and crystal structures of two di-naph-tho[2,1-<i>d</i>:1',2'-<i>f</i>][1,3]dithiepine atropisomers.

Acta crystallographica. Section E, Crystallographic communications·2023
Same author

<i>O</i>-Acylated Flavones in the Alpine Daisy <i>Celmisia viscosa</i>: Intraspecific Variation.

Journal of natural products·2022
Same author

Tubular glassy carbon microneedles with fullerene-like tips for biomedical applications.

Beilstein journal of nanotechnology·2022
Same author

Synthesis of fluorinated phosphorus-containing copolymers and their immobilization and properties on stainless steel.

RSC advances·2022
Same journal

From polyethylene terephthalate waste to a multilayer MOF: a sustainable strategy for enhanced supercapacitor performance.

RSC advances·2026
Same journal

Magneto-electrochemical approach for determining the rate-controlling step for corrosion of iron in ferric solutions.

RSC advances·2026
Same journal

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of tacrine-sulphonamide hybrids as a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

RSC advances·2026
Same journal

Bio-degradable electrospun nanofibers encompassing dioxidovanadium benzimidazole compounds as potential drug delivery systems for diabetes mellitus.

RSC advances·2026
Same journal

Streamlined synthesis of functionalized dibenzo[<i>a</i>,<i>e</i>]pentalenes through potassium-mediated cyclization and late-stage thianthrenation.

RSC advances·2026
Same journal

High-efficiency ultra-thin CIGSe solar cells: defect engineering and back-surface field design.

RSC advances·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators
14:42

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators

Published on: April 25, 2020

8.4K

Gel actuators based on polymeric radicals.

Ravindra N Wickramasinhage1, Shailesh K Goswami1, C John McAdam1

  • 1Chemistry Department, University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand smoratti@chemistry.otago.ac.nz.

RSC Advances
|May 9, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Electrochemical actuators made from radical polymer gels achieve 32% linear actuation using an organic electrolyte. This novel system demonstrates promising stability for electrochemical devices.

More Related Videos

Microfluidic Preparation of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Actuators
12:04

Microfluidic Preparation of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Actuators

Published on: May 20, 2018

9.1K
Fabrication Process of Silicone-based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators
10:32

Fabrication Process of Silicone-based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Published on: February 1, 2016

33.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 24, 2025

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators
14:42

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators

Published on: April 25, 2020

8.4K
Microfluidic Preparation of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Actuators
12:04

Microfluidic Preparation of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Actuators

Published on: May 20, 2018

9.1K
Fabrication Process of Silicone-based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators
10:32

Fabrication Process of Silicone-based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Published on: February 1, 2016

33.9K

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Electrochemistry

Background:

  • Radical polymer gels offer potential for electrochemical actuation.
  • Developing efficient and stable actuators requires advanced material design.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate low-voltage electrochemical actuation of radical polymer gels.
  • To enhance conductivity and actuation performance using conductive nanomaterials.
  • To evaluate the stability and limitations of the developed actuator system.

Main Methods:

  • Polymer gels were synthesized via post-modification of active-ester precursors with amine-functionalized radicals.
  • Few-layer graphene and multiwall carbon nanotubes were incorporated to improve gel conductivity.
  • Electrochemical actuation was performed in an organic electrolyte.
  • Actuator performance was assessed through linear actuation measurements and cyclic stability tests.

Main Results:

  • The radical polymer gels exhibited electrochemical actuation at low voltages in an organic electrolyte.
  • Incorporation of few-layer graphene and multiwall carbon nanotubes significantly enhanced conductivity and actuation.
  • A maximum linear actuation of 32% was achieved.
  • The actuator system demonstrated good stability over at least 10 cycles.

Conclusions:

  • Low-voltage electrochemical actuation of radical polymer gels is feasible.
  • Conductive nanomaterials like graphene and carbon nanotubes are effective in improving actuator performance.
  • The actuator system shows promise for applications, though cycle time is limited by ion and solvent transport.