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Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

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...

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...

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

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,...

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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...

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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...

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers

Published on: June 20, 2019

Nonclassical Spherical Packing Phases Self-Assembled from AB-Type Block Copolymers.

Weihua Li¹, Chao Duan¹, An-Chang Shi²

¹State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.

ACS Macro Letters

|June 2, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Block copolymers self-assemble into novel spherical packing phases, including complex Frank-Kasper phases, mimicking atomic crystals. Conformational asymmetry and copolymer blends stabilize these structures.

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Using Polystyrene-block-polyacrylic acid-coated Metal Nanoparticles as Monomers for Their Homo- and Co-polymerization

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Area of Science:

Polymer Science
Materials Science
Crystallography

Background:

Block copolymers self-assemble into ordered nanostructures.
Spherical packing phases in block copolymers are analogous to atomic crystals.
The body-centered-cubic phase is a common spherical morphology.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advances in understanding nonclassical spherical packing phases in block copolymers.
To highlight the formation mechanisms of complex ordered structures.
To emphasize the role of conformational asymmetry and copolymer blends.

Main Methods:

Review of theoretical studies on block copolymer self-assembly.
Analysis of factors influencing the stability of spherical packing phases.
Discussion of experimental observations of Frank-Kasper phases in block copolymer melts.

Main Results:

Novel spherical packing phases, including Frank-Kasper phases, are observed in block copolymer melts.
Conformational asymmetry of polymer blocks is a key mechanism for stabilizing these phases.
Local segregation in copolymer blends and specific copolymer architectures enhance phase stability.

Conclusions:

Block copolymer self-assembly can yield complex, nonclassical spherical packing phases.
Conformational asymmetry and blend strategies are crucial for accessing these ordered structures.
Understanding these mechanisms advances the design of advanced materials with tailored morphologies.