Hydrogen peroxide degradation copolymer

Disturbances of the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of the monolayer-forming material could also be a factor to exploit when studying film responsiveness to external stimuli. In combination with the oxidation-responsive poly(propylene sulfide), PPS, PEO forms di- and triblock copolymers whose molecular and supramolecular organization is strongly dependent on the oxidative stress present in the system [52], Monolayers from PPS-PEO on an aqueous subphase remain stable due to PPS hydrophobicity. However, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide in the subphase, oxidation of the PPS blocks occurs and the hydrophilic-to-lipophilic balance is disturbed, producing hydrophilic species. Obviously, an increased hy-drophilicity favors dissolution of the material in the subphase and, consequently, a decrease of the mean molecular area. In this study [52], the monolayer model was used to explain physical details of vesicle degradation under the oxidative stress. 

---