One-step preparation of vinyl-functionalized material surfaces: a versatile platform for surface modification

A simple approach has been developed to functionalize various substrates, such as gold and polyvinylchloride, with dopamine methacrylamide—a molecule with adhesive properties that mimic those of mussels—to produce a versatile and general platform for subsequent surface modification. With active double bonds on the surface, various polymers, such as poly([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide(PMEDSAH) and poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)(PVP), can be grafted by conventional radical polymerization. Double bond surface functionalization and subsequent polymer grafting have been verified by static water contact angle, Fourier transform infrared–attenuated total reflectance(FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) measurements. Protein adsorption assays showed that the polymermodified substrates have good protein-resistant properties. Considering the advantages of facility, versatility and substrate- independence, this method should be useful in designing functional interfaces for bioengineering applications.     

Enzyme immobilization in reactive nanoparticles produced by inverse microemulsion polymerization

This paper deals with the immobilization of alkaline phosphatase by physical entrapment within colloidal particles produced by inverse microemulsion polymerization. Functionality has been imparted to the nanoparticle surface by copolymerization of acrylamide (the main monomer),N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide (the cross-linking agent) with eitherN-acryloyl-1,6-diaminohexane (an amine promoter) or acrylic acid (a carboxylic acid promoter). The effect of the functional comonomers on the size and zeta potential of the reactive latexes has been studied. Integrity of the immobilized enzyme has been ascertained from its catalytic activity towards hydrolysis ofp-nitrophenylphosphate.     

A practical route for the preparation of poly(4‐hydroxystyrene), a useful photoresist material

The synthesis and characterization of poly(4‐hydroxystyrene) (PHS) and poly(4‐vinylphenol) (PVPh) by the polymer modification route are reported. Polystyrene prepared by free‐radical and anionic polymerization was acetylated quantitatively to poly(4‐acetylstyrene) (ACPS) with acetyl chloride and anhydrous aluminum trichloride in carbon disulfide. The acetylation worked equally well in a mixture of 1,2‐dichloroethane (DCE) and nitrobenzene containing largely DCE. The extent of the acetylation was estimated by ¹H NMR. The oxidation of ACPS was carried out with various oxidizing agents and reaction conditions. The peracetic acid oxidation in chloroform resulted in quantitative oxidation to poly(4‐acetoxystyrene) (APS) as estimated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The treatment of APS with hydrazine hydrate in dioxane resulted in the formation of PVPh. Deacetylation occurred with equal versatility in a mixture of aqueous sodium hydroxide and tetrahydrofuran. All the polymers were characterized via gel permeation chromatography, IR, UV, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic techniques. This is the first report on the synthesis of ACPS, APS, and PHS of reasonably narrow molecular weight distributions or otherwise by the polymer modification route. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 453–461, 2000     

Novel,well‐defined polystyrene with a fluorine cluster end‐capped group: Synthesis,characterization, and surface properties

Novel, well‐defined fluorinated polystyrene was synthesized for the first time via the controlled radical polymerization of styrene through a relatively simple process and was characterized with ¹H NMR, ¹⁹F NMR, and gel permeation chromatography. The surface properties of polystyrene and poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐butadiene‐co‐styrene) films were modified with the obtained polymers. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements of the air‐side surface composition of the modified poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐butadiene‐co‐styrene) films showed that fluorine enriched the outermost surface, resulting in fantastic surface properties that came close to those of poly(tetrafluoroethylene). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3853–3858, 2006     

Electrochemical functionalization of carbon surfaces by aromatic azide or alkyne molecules: a versatile platform for click chemistry

The electrochemical reduction of phenylazide or phenylacetylene diazonium salts leads to the grafting of azido or ethynyl groups onto the surface of carbon electrodes. In the presence of copper(I) catalyst, these azide- or alkyne-modified surfaces react efficiently and rapidly with compounds bearing an acetylene or azide function, thus forming a covalent 1,2,3-triazole linkage by means of click chemistry. This was illustrated with the surface coupling of ferrocenes functionalized with an ethynyl or azido group and the biomolecule biotin terminated by an acetylene group.     

Oligomeric Branched Polyethers with Multiple Hydroxyl Groups by Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization for Inorganic Surface Modification

Summary: Cationic ring-opening polymerization of cyclic ethers (also esters and acetals) substituted with hydroxyl groups leads to branched multihydroxyl polymers. When 4-membered hydroxysubstituted oxetanes or 5-membered hydroxysubstuituted oxolanes (or lactone and 1,3-dioxolane) are used as monomers the polymerization products have limited molecular weights (about 1000). Polymerization of these monomers leading in situ to oligomeric products was used for inorganic surface modification. Successful polymerizations of oxetane as well as considered as difficult to polymerize 5-membered hydroxysubstituted cyclic monomers initiated from montmorillonite clay and silica nanoparticles surfaces were performed.     

Refractive index‐modulated grating in two‐mode planar polymeric waveguide produced by two‐photon polymerization

A polymeric waveguide film was manufactured by spinning the materials on quartz substrate. Two‐photon‐initiated photopolymerization was carried out by tight‐focusing femtosecond laser pulses in the two‐mode planar waveguide. A typical index‐modulated grating of 2.5 × 2 mm areas without morphology was fabricated. The results show that peak‐to‐peak modulation depth of the surface profile of grating region was only about 7 nm. The diffraction efficiency (DE) of the grating with a spacing period 2 µm was 0.17% and the corresponding index modulation reached 5.7 × 10^?3. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modification of polydivinylbenzene microspheres by a hydrobromination/click-chemistry protocol and their protein-adsorption properties

Hydrophobic- and/or hydrophilic-polymer-grafted PDVB microspheres are synthesized by the combination of hydrobromination and click-chemistry processes. The modified-PDVB microspheres and the intermediates at various stages of synthesis are characterized using GPC, 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and TGA analysis. Use of the microspheres as a support matrix for reversible protein immobilization via adsorption is investigated. The system parameters such as the adsorption conditions (i.e., enzyme concentration, medium pH) and desorption are studied and evaluated with regards to the biocatalytic activity and adsorption capacity.     

Synthesis of polymeric microspheres from a Merrifield resin by surface‐initiated nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization

Polymeric microspheres were prepared from a Merrifield resin via nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization. Polystyrene, poly(acetoxystyrene), and poly[styrene‐b‐(methyl methacrylate‐co‐styrene)], poly(acetoxystyrene‐b‐styrene), and poly(styrene‐co‐2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymers were demonstrated to graft onto 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy nitroxide bound Merrifield resins. The polymerization control was enhanced both on the surface and in solution by the addition of sacrificial nitroxide. The significant increase in the particle diameter (more than a fivefold volume increase for polystyrene brushes) showed that polymer growth was not only on the surface but also within the particles, and this diameter increase could be adjusted through changes in the molecular weight of the polymers. The microspheres were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, particle size analysis, and optical microscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2145–2154, 2005     

Chemical modification of carbon fiber with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid/halloysite nanotube as a multifunctional interfacial reinforcement for silicone resin composites

In the present research, a multifunctional hierarchical reinforcement was prepared by chemical modification of carbon fibers (CFs) with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) by the bridging diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) for improving interfacial microstructures and properties of composites. Surface structures and groups of modified HNTs and CFs were characterized systematically. The uniform distributions of the introduced DTPA and HNTs helped to increase fiber polarity, surface energy, and wettability. As a consequence, significant enhancements of interfacial properties and hydrothermal aging resistance of composites were achieved, and interfacial reinforcing mechanisms have also been studied. Moreover, the storage modulus showed a 17.95% improvement, and the glass transition temperature was enhanced by 17°C by dynamic mechanical analysis testing.     

Photocaged pendent thiol polymer brush surfaces for postpolymerization modifications via thiol‐click chemistry

In this work, a postpolymerization surface modification approach is reported that provides pendent thiol functionality along the polymer brush backbone using the photolabile protection chemistry of both o‐nitrobenzyl and p‐methoxyphenacyl thioethers. Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) brushes were synthesized via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization, after which the pHEMA hydroxyl groups were esterified with 3‐(2‐nitrobenzylthio)propanoic acid or 3‐(2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐oxoethylthio)propanoic acid to provide the photolabile protected pendent thiols. Addressing the protecting groups with light not only affords spatial control of reactive thiol functionality but enables a plethora of thiol‐mediated transformations with isocyanates and maleimides providing a modular route to create functional polymer surfaces. This concept was extended to block copolymer brush architectures enabling the modification of the chemical functionality of both the inner and outer blocks of the block copolymer surface. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

The cationic polymerization of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone initiated electrochemically by anodic polarization on a Pt surface

The electroinitiated polymerization of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone has been investigated. After electrolysis at controlled potential, a thin, covering, and homogeneous film of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) appears on the electrode. The insolubility of the polymer in its classical solvents implies the existence of a true chemical grafting of macromolecules on the platinum surface. Chain propagation occurs by a cationic mechanism initiated by a direct electron transfer leading to grafted cations on the surface, followed by the nucleophilic attack of neutral molecules. The molecular weight of the polymer was estimated by gel permeation chromatography after having mechanically removed the film from the electrode. A molecular weight distribution curve showing an average value of 16,000 was observed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Development of a Novel Immobilization Method by Using Microgels to Keep Enzyme in Hydrated Microenvironment in Porous Hydrophobic Membranes

Using colloidal polyacrylamide (PAAm) microgels as carriers, a novel strategy for covalent immobilization of enzymes maintained in hydrated microenvironment on/in a macroporous surface‐functionalized hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane is developed. The PAAm microgels are synthesized by inverse miniemulsion polymerization, and first the parameters are investigated which are suited to obtain particles in the desired size range, 100–200 nm, with narrow size distribution. Amino functions are then imparted to the microgels applying the Hofmann reaction. The modification is confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, ninhydrin test, and elemental analysis. In addition, functionalized microgels are characterized by dynamic light scattering. The amino‐functionalized PAAm microgels are then immobilized on pre‐modified PVDF membrane having aldehyde functionalities on the surface. Afterward, unreacted aldehyde groups still present on the membrane where quenched by ethanolamine and the enzyme lipase from Candida rugosa (LCR) is subsequently immobilized on the microgels loaded PVDF membrane via glutaraldehyde cross‐linking, exploiting the free amino groups on immobilized microgels. Catalytic efficiency of LCR immobilized by this strategy is evaluated using para‐nitrophenyl palmitate as substrate and compared with LCR directly immobilized on PVDF membrane without microgels. Results show that LCR immobilized by means of microgels exhibits better performance with a 2.3‐fold higher specific biocatalytic activity.

     

Poly(ethylene glycol)‐thioxanthone prepared by Diels–Alder click chemistry as one‐component polymeric photoinitiator for aqueous free‐radical polymerization

Novel water‐borne macrophotoinitiator containing thioxanthone (TX) end group was successfully synthesized by using Diels–Alder (DA) [4 + 2] click chemistry strategy. For this purpose, thioxanthone‐anthracene (TX‐A) and maleimide end‐functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG‐MI) were reacted in toluene at reflux temperature for 48 h. The final polymer (PEG‐TX) and the intermediates were characterized in detail by spectral analysis. PEG‐TX possesses absorption characteristics similar to the parent TX. The one‐component photoinitiating nature of the photointiator was demonstrated by photopolymeization of several hydrophilic vinyl monomers, such as acrylic acid, acrylamide, 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate, and 1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2109–2114, 2010     

Novel UV initiator for functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by atom transfer radical polymerization applied on two different grades of nanotubes

A novel nonoxidative method for preparation of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) has been developed based on a UV sensitive initiator for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The method has been investigated with respect to ligands and polymerization time for the preparation of polystyrene functionalized MWCNT. It was found that pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) gave superior results with higher loading in shorter polymerization time. A comparative study of the method applied on two different grades of nonoxidized MWCNT has been performed, illustrating large differences in reactivity and polymer loading, underlining the importance of the choice of MWCNT starting material. In addition to styrene, also poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) was shown to polymerize from the surface of the MWCNT. Finally, initial results from composites of polystyrene or polyphenylenesulfide are presented. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Enhancement of Photocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Production by Surface Modification of Pt-TiO2 Nanoparticles with a Double Layer of Photosensitizers

To investigate the effect of the surface structure of dye-sensitized photocatalyst nanoparticles, we prepared three types of Ru^II-photosensitizer (PS)-double-layered Pt-cocatalyst-loaded TiO₂ nanoparticles with different surface structures, Zr- RuCP⁶ -Zr- RuP⁶ @N wt %Pt-TiO₂, RuCP⁶ -Zr- RuP⁶ @N wt %Pt-TiO₂, and RuCP² -Zr- RuP⁶ @N wt %Pt-TiO₂ (N=0.2, 1, and 5), and evaluated their photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity in the presence of redox-reversible iodide as the electron donor. Although the driving force of the electron injection from I⁻ to the photo-oxidized Ru^III PS is comparable, the activity increased in the following order: RuCP² -Zr- RuP⁶ @1 wt %Pt-TiO₂ < RuCP⁶ -Zr- RuP⁶ @1 wt %Pt-TiO₂ < Zr- RuCP⁶ -Zr- RuP⁶ @1 wt %Pt-TiO₂. The apparent quantum yield of Zr- RuCP⁶ -Zr- RuP⁶ @1 wt %Pt-TiO₂ in the first hour reached 1 %. Zeta-potential measurements suggest that the surface Zr⁴⁺-phosphate groups attracted I⁻ anions to the nanoparticle–solution interface. Our results indicate that the surface modification of dye-sensitized photocatalysts is a promising approach to enhance photocatalytic activity with various redox mediators.     

Micro-perforated elastomeric poly(dimethylsiloxane) mask fabricated using high-aspect-ratio micro-pillar arrays for spatially defined surface modification: an unconventional method for establishing a microarray platform

Herein, we introduce the fabrication of a micro-perforated elastomeric poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) mask and employ it for spatially defined surface modification. To fabricate the micro-perforated PDMS mask, high-aspect-ratio micro-pillar arrays having millimeter scale height were first fabricated via direct photopolymerization using a thiol–ene-based UV-curable adhesive. Square pillars (500 × 500 μm) and 200 μm circular pillars with 5 and 12.5 in the aspect ratios, respectively, were successfully fabricated with high pattern fidelity, reaching 2.5mm in height. Next, using the micro-pillar-array platform as a master mold, PDMS prepolymer was cast and polymerized to form an elastomeric PDMS mask having micro-perforation arrays. Alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces were successfully obtained by oxidizing PDMS-covered Si wafer with corona discharge. Spatially defined chemical functionalities obtained by selective oxidation and subsequent silanization were clearly distinguished via colorimetric detection methods employing ninhydrin and toluidine reagents. The micro-perforated elastomeric PDMS mask enables selective modification of a surface without utilizing photoreactive chemicals and a photomask. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Fabrication and cytocompatibility evaluation for blood‐compatible polyethersulfone membrane modified by a synthesized poly (vinyl pyrrolidone)‐block‐poly (acrylate‐graft‐poly(methyl methacrylate))‐block‐poly‐(vinyl pyrrolidone)

Polyethersulfone (PES) membrane, one of the most important polymeric materials because of its good chemical resistance, thermal stability, mechanical, and film‐forming properties, has already been used in hemodialysis, tissue engineering, and artificial organs. In order to improve the blood compatibility of PES membrane, many amphiphilic block copolymers have been synthesized and used as additives for surface modification. The object of this study is to develop a hydrophilic PES membrane by blending a comblike amphiphilic block copolymer poly (vinyl pyrrolidone)‐block‐poly [acrylate‐graft‐poly (methyl methacrylate)]‐block‐poly‐(vinyl pyrrolidone) [PVP‐b‐P (AE‐g‐PMMA)‐b‐PVP] synthesized by RAFT polymerization. The cytocompatibility performance of PVP‐b‐P (AE‐g‐PMMA)‐b‐PVP modified PES membrane was evaluated, which showed better cytocompatibility compared with that of pristine PES membrane. Endothelial cells cultured on the modified membranes present improved growth in terms of scanning electron microscope observation, MTT assay, and confocal laser scanning microscope observation. These results indicate that the modified membrane has great potential application in blood‐contact fields such as hemodialysis and bio‐artificial liver supports. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of thermo-responsive polymer brushes on hydrophilic polymeric beads by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization for a highly resolutive separation of peptides

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-tert-butylacrylamide) [P(IPAAm-co-tBAAm)] brushes were prepared on poly(hydroxy methacrylate) (PHMA) [hydrolyzed poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate)] beads having large pores by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and applied to the stationary phases of thermo-responsive chromatography. Optimized amount of copolymer brushes grafted PHMA beads were able to separate peptides and proteins with narrow peaks and a high resolution. The beads were found to have a specific surface area of 43.0 m²/g by nitrogen gas adsorption method. Copolymer brush of P(IPAAm-co-tBAAm) grafted PHMA beads improved the stationary phase of thermo-responsive chromatography for the all-aqueous separation of peptides and proteins.     

Micron-sized monodispersed polymer particles produced by seeded polymerization for the dispersion of high swelling of polymer particles with a large amount of monomer

 Micron-sized monodispersed polystyrene (PS)/poly(n-butyl methacrylate) composite particles were produced as follows. First, 1.77 μm-sized monodispersed PS seed particles produced by dispersion polymerization were dispersed in ethanol/water (1/2, w/w) medium dissolving poly(vinyl alcohol) as a stabilizer. n-Butyl methacrylate (BMA) monomer dissolving benzoyl peroxide initiator was emulsified in ethanol/water (1/2, w/w) solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate as emulsifier with ultrasonic homogenizer, and the BMA monomer emulsion was mixed with the PS seed emulsion. The PS seed particles absorbed with a large amount of BMA (about 150 times weight of the seed particles) for 2 h to about 10 μm in diameter while keeping good monodispersity and BMA droplets disappeared finally. The seeded polymerization was carried out at 70 °C after a certain amount of water was added to depress the redissolving of BMA from the swollen particles into the medium by raising from room temperature to the polymerzation temperature. Received: 21 February 1996 Accepted: 4 September 1996