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Related Concept Videos

Polymers02:34

Polymers

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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...
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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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Solubility03:00

Solubility

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Solution, Solubility, and Solubility Equilibrium
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules,...
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Intermolecular Forces03:13

Intermolecular Forces

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Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions (attractive or repulsive) between charged species (permanent, partial, or temporary charges) and exist with varying strengths between ions, polar, nonpolar, and neutral molecules. The different types of intermolecular forces are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion; among these, dipole–dipole, hydrogen...
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Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.3K
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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Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC): Overview01:11

Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC): Overview

1.5K
Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a chromatography technique that separates compounds based on their polarity. TLC typically uses polar silica gel, a form of silicon dioxide, as the stationary phase. The silica gel contains hydroxyl (OH) groups on its surface, which form hydrogen bonds with polar compounds, influencing their adhesion to the stationary phase.
To begin the analysis, a mixture of compounds is spotted on the starting line on the TLC plate using a thin capillary. The bottom of the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
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Supramolecular polymers form tactoids through liquid-liquid phase separation.

Hailin Fu1,2, Jingyi Huang3,4, Joost J B van der Tol3,5

  • 1Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. h.fu@tue.nl.

Nature
|February 28, 2024
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synthetic supramolecular polymers can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) to form ordered tactoids. This discovery opens new avenues for creating structured soft matter and understanding biological condensates.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Soft Matter Physics
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Biopolymer liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is crucial for forming membraneless organelles.
  • Synthetic supramolecular polymers, analogous to biological macromolecules, have not been reported to undergo LLPS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether synthetic supramolecular polymers can undergo LLPS.
  • To explore the factors influencing LLPS in synthetic systems and control emergent morphologies.

Main Methods:

  • Supramolecular polymerization of synthetic components to form continuously growing fibrils.
  • Controlled manipulation of crowding environments (dextran concentration) and interfaces.
  • Characterization of phase separation kinetics, tactoid morphology, internal order, fluidity, and mechanical properties.

Main Results:

  • Continuously growing supramolecular polymer fibrils drive entropy-driven phase separation into anisotropic liquid droplets (tactoids).
  • Crowding environments and interfaces significantly influence LLPS kinetics and the properties of the resulting tactoids.
  • Diverse three-dimensional-ordered structures, including surface-bound tactoid arrays, were generated.

Conclusions:

  • Synthetic supramolecular polymerizations can induce and control LLPS, forming stable, ordered liquid phases.
  • This work establishes a new paradigm for creating structured soft matter through controlled phase separation.
  • The findings bridge synthetic chemistry and biophysics, offering new materials and insights into biological organization.