3-COMPONENT INTERPOLYMER COMPLEXES WITH A LOW-MOLECULAR-MASS MEDIATOR

We discovered an essentially new type of polycomplexes, which we label three-component interpolymer complexes with a low-molecular-mass medi ator (3-IPCM). These complexes (3-IPCM) differ from conventional polye lectrolyte complexes formed by two oppositely charged polyelectrolyte macromolecules, because they result from two like-charged polymer mole cules, whereas the binding between them is ensured by a bifunctional l ow-molecular-mass compound carrying a charge opposite to that on the p olymer molecules. The mediator can also be a monofunctional compound i ncorporating a hydrophobic substituent.