We demonstrate a new approach of synthesis of poly(ethylene oxide-b-ethyl acrylate) (PEO-b-PEA) block copolymer by radical polymerization. The radicals generated during oscillation of Belousov-Zhabotinsky (B-Z) reaction initiate polymerization between polyethylene glycol containing reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer agent (PEG-CTA) and ethyl acrylate monomers. B-Z reaction is an oxidation of organic acid such as malonic acid by sodium bromate in the presence of metal ions catalyst in acidic medium. The growth of hydrophobic chain on the hydrophilic PEG chain induce self-assembly of polymeric unimers to form spherical micelles which transform to vesicles as an effect of chemical oscillation (Figure 1). We believe that the use of oscillating chemical reactions to synthesize functional vesicles paves the way to various application of polymeric vesicles that are different from that fabricated form other approaches.

Synthesis and self-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymer as an effect of chemical oscillation

254th National Meeting (2017)

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