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Related Concept Videos

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers01:24

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

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Copolymers are the products obtained from the polymerization of multiple monomer species. So, in a polymer chain itself, there can be multiple repeating units that come from different monomers. The process of synthesizing a polymer from different monomer species is called copolymerization. When two monomers are involved, the polymer is known as a bipolymer. Polymers with three and four monomers are termed terpolymers and quaterpolymers, respectively. Figure 1 depicts the copolymerization of...
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Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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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...
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Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

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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...
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Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:03

Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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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...
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Modulating Shape of Polyester Based Polymersomes using Osmotic Pressure
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Light-Enabled Reversible Shape Transformation of Block Copolymer Particles.

Dengwen Hu1, Xiaohua Chang1, Youquan Xu1

  • 1College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, No. 2318 Yuhangtang Rd., Cangqian, Yuhang District, Hangzhou 311121, China.

ACS Macro Letters
|May 13, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed light-responsive block copolymer particles that change shape reversibly. This breakthrough in emulsion confined self-assembly offers precise control for applications like drug delivery.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Confined self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) is a key method for creating particles with controlled shapes.
  • Developing reversibly light-switchable BCP particles within emulsion confined self-assembly remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To engineer novel, reversibly light-responsive block copolymer particles capable of shape transformation.
  • To explore the use of functional surfactants with light-active azobenzene groups in emulsion confined self-assembly.

Main Methods:

  • Functional surfactants containing light-active azobenzene (azo) groups were synthesized and incorporated into BCPs.
  • Emulsion confined self-assembly was employed to create BCP particles within droplets.
  • Ultraviolet (UV) and visible light were used to trigger reversible shape and morphological transitions via azo group isomerization.

Main Results:

  • Reversible shape transformations of BCP particles were achieved, transitioning between onion-shaped spheres, striped ellipsoids, and inverse onion-like structures upon UV and visible light irradiation.
  • The light-induced shape changes are attributed to the reversible trans-cis isomerization of azobenzene groups, modulating surfactant amphiphilicity and interfacial affinity.
  • The light-triggered shape transformation was demonstrated for controllable, non-contacted drug release.

Conclusions:

  • A novel strategy enables the creation of reversibly light-responsive BCP particles with high temporal-spatial control.
  • These light-addressable BCP particles show significant potential for applications in biomedicine and clinical settings, particularly in programmed drug delivery.