Controlled polymerization of acrylonitrile proceeded along with the Belousov-Zhabotinsky oscillator by changing its stirring conditions

Chemical oscillations of the manganese-ion catalyzed Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction system were found to be controlled by changing its stirring conditions. The oscillation stopped at a high stirring rate, while it reappeared immediately by reducing the stirring rate. It is known in the BZ reaction system, that the radical polymerization takes place along with the oscillation when acrylic monomers are added. By the addition of acrylonitrile to the system stirred at a high stirring rate, the oscillation as well as the polymerization of acrylonitrile stopped. The radical polymerization of acrylonitrile by the BZ oscillator is thus found to be made controllable by changing the mixing conditions.