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Chain-growth polymerization adds monomers sequentially to the end of an ever-lengthening chain until monomers are exhausted or growth is inhibited. Step-growth polymerization involves bi-functional or multi-functional monomers reacting to form dimers and trimers, which combine into larger oligomers and eventually long polymer molecules.

Addition polymerization combines monomers without releasing a byproduct, such as vinyl chloride forming polyvinylchloride (PVC) through free radical propagation. Condensation polymerization involves molecules with complementary functional groups reacting and releasing a byproduct like water or hydrogen chloride, as occurs in nylon synthesis.

A dicarboxylic acid chloride condenses with a diamine, releasing hydrogen chloride as a byproduct. Monomers are consumed to form dimers and trimers, which react to form larger oligomers. These oligomers then condense to form high molecular weight polyamide polymers through step-growth condensation.

Surface polymerization occurs at the interface between heterogeneous phases—an aqueous and organic layer. In nylon synthesis, sebacoyl chloride in hexane is overlaid onto an aqueous diaminohexane solution. A thin polymer film forms at the interface and is collected by wrapping around a glass rod, then washed and dried.

Photo-polymerization uses light to initiate polymer reactions. Masks and photosensitive resins allow layer-by-layer fabrication of three-dimensional structures with sub-100 micrometer resolution. This technique enables fundamental studies in mechanics and materials science, and emerging fields such as tunable metamaterials.

Biocompatible polymers are indispensable tools in biological sciences. Density gradient multilayered polymerization creates biocompatible-layered matrices with distinct chemical and mechanical properties. These matrices enable biomedical and basic research into cellular response in complex two-dimensional and three-dimensional environments.

Metal nanoparticles coated in polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) are polymerized into chain structures. Polymer synthesis techniques allow precise control of the length and width of nanoparticle chains, addressing the challenge of ordered assembly of nanoparticles in materials science applications.