(Vinylbenzyl)trimethylammonium chloride (VBTA) can be used as a monomer:
- To synthesize the poly(AMA-DVB-VBTA) monolith columns, which are used for solid-phase microextraction in analytical chemistry.
- To prepare an anion exchange membrane for a lignin oxidizing electrolyzer. VBTA provides the anion exchange functionality to the copolymer membrane, which allows for the selective transport of anions across the membrane
It is also used to synthesize poly(VBTMAC) (homopolymer) and block copolymers for biomedical applications. For example, it can be used as a monomer to prepare:
- Poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate]-b-based nanostructures for encapsulating magnetic nanoparticles and DNA.
- Nano-sized polyelectrolyte complexes.
- Homo and block copolymers of poly(VBTMAC) for non-viral DNA delivery systems.
