A Kinetic Model of Belousov-Zhabotinsky Driven Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly

A novel method to drive polymerization-induced self assembly by the oscillatory Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction has been recently developed, showing excellent control of both the polymerization and the self-assembly. The radicals produced during the oscillations of BZ initiate the reversible addition-fragmentation transfer kinetics and are also involved in certain termination reactions. A novel kinetic model that couples a well-known BZ model with a method of moments balance of the RAFT kinetics will be presented. The kinetic model reproduces both the effects of BZ on the polymerization, and the observed effects of the polymerization on the BZ oscillations. We will also discuss how the model can be used to optimize and direct the polymerization and self-assembly.