| 초록 |
Micron-sized aqueous droplets serve as a unique reactor that causes various chemical reactions not seen in bulk solutions, but their application in synthesizing high molecular weight products remains unclear. This study demonstrates that compartmentalization in aqueous microdroplets of water-in-oil emulsion effectively facilitates radical polymerization even without chemical initiators or catalysts. The polymerization proceeds by ultrasonic emulsification in the presence of a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer agent. Hydroxyl radicals are generated near the large interface of micron-sized water droplets and initiate the polymerization reaction, which therefore converts an interfacial energy into the synthesis of polymeric materials. In sharp contrast, none of these reactions occurs in a bulk water environment. This work may have important implications for prebiotic polymer chemistry and polymerization in cellular biochemistry without any invasive chemical initiators. |
