A combinatorial approach to study solvent-induced self-assembly of mixed poly(methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene brushes on planar silica substrates: effect of relative grafting density

This article reports the study of the effect of relative grafting densities of two polymer chains on solvent-induced self-assembly of mixed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/polystyrene (PS) brushes through a combinatorial approach. Gradient-mixed PMMA/PS brushes were synthesized from a gradient-mixed initiator-terminated monolayer by combining atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and nitroxide mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) in a two-step process. The gradient-mixed initiator-terminated monolayer was fabricated by first formation of a gradient in density of an ATRP initiator through vapor diffusion followed by backfilling of an NMRP-initiator-terminated trichlorosilane. After treatment of a gradient-mixed brush whose PS Mn was slightly lower than that of PMMA with glacial acetic acid, a selective solvent for PMMA, relatively ordered nanodomains were observed in the region where the ratio of PS to PMMA grafting density (number of polymer chains/nm2) was in the range from 0.67 to 2.17 and the overall grafting density was approximately 0.85 polymer chains/nm2. Contact angle hysteresis were high (> or =40 degrees ) in this region and XPS studies confirmed that the PMMA chains were enriched at the outermost layer. The nanodomains are speculated to be of a micellar structure with PS chains forming the core shielded by PMMA chains.     

Thermosensitive hairy hybrid nanoparticles synthesized by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

This article reports on the synthesis of thermosensitive polymer brushes on silica nanoparticles by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and the study of thermo-induced phase transitions in water. Silica nanoparticles were prepared by the St?ber process and the surface was functionalized by an ATRP initiator. Surface-initiated ATRPs of methoxydi(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (DEGMMA) and methoxytri(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (TEGMMA) were carried out in THF at 40 degrees C in the presence of a free initiator, benzyl 2-bromoisobutyrate. The polymerizations were monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The hairy hybrid nanoparticles were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy, and the thermoresponsive properties were investigated by variable temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The cloud points of free poly(DEGMMA) and poly(TEGMMA) in water were around 25 and 48 degrees C, respectively. The thermo-induced phase transitions of polymer brushes on silica nanoparticles began at a lower temperature and continued over a broader range (4-10 degrees C) than those of free polymers in water (< 2 degrees C).     

Synthesis and morphological study of thick benzyl methacrylate-styrene diblock copolymer brushes

We demonstrate, for the first time, the synthesis of model poly(benzyl methacrylate) [P(BnMA)] brushes of very high thickness (>300 nm) on silicon wafer. P(BnMA) brush is also synthesized from the surface of silica nanoparticles, from a covalently anchored initiator monolayer, using ambient temperature ATRP. The kinetic studies and block copolymerization from the surface anchored P(BnMA)-Br macroinitiator showed that the polymerization was controlled in nature. AFM, ellipsometry, and water contact angle were used for the characterization of the polymer brush. The grafting density of the P(BnMA) brush, formed by immersion in a dilute monomer solution, was relatively less (～11% less) in comparison to that obtained by immersion in neat monomer under similar conditions. The P(BnMA)-Br macroinitiator brushes were used to synthesize P(BnMA-b-S) diblock copolymer brushes by the ATRP of styrene at 95 °C. The P(BnMA-b-S) brushes showed stimulus response to a selective solvent and various nanopatterns were observed according to the composition of the block copolymer.     

Synthesis of well‐defined polymer brushes on the surface of zinc antimonate nanoparticles through surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Zinc antimonate nanoparticles consisting of antimony and zinc oxide were surface modified in a methanol solvent medium using triethoxysilane‐based atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiating group (i.e.,) 6‐(2‐bromo‐2‐methyl) propionyloxy hexyl triethoxysilane. Successful grafting of ATRP initiator on the surface of nanoparticles was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis that shows a significant weight loss at around 250–410 °C. Grafting of ATRP initiator onto the surface was further corroborated using Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface‐initiated ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) mediated by a copper complex was carried out with the initiator‐fixed zinc antimonate nanoparticles in the presence of a sacrificial (free) initiator. The polymerization was preceded in a living manner in all examined cases; producing nanoparticles coated with well defined poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) brushes with molecular weight in the range of 35–48K. Furthermore, PMMA‐grafted zinc antimonate nanoparticles were characterized using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) that exhibit significant weight loss in the temperature range of 300–410 °C confirming the formation of polymer brushes on the surface with the graft density as high as 0.26–0.27 chains/nm². The improvement in the dispersibility of PMMA‐grafted zinc antimonate nanoparticles was verified using ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Topochemistry of cellulose nanofibers resulting from molecular and polymer grafting

The aim of this study was to synthesize hydrophobic cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) using different chemical treatments including polymer and molecular grafting. For polymer grafting, immobilizing poly (butyl acrylate) (PBA) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) on CNFs were implemented by the free radical method. Also, acetyl groups were introduced directly onto the CNFs surface by acetic anhydride for molecular grafting. The gravimetric and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed the high grafting density of PMMA on the surface of CNFs. AFM results revealed that molecular grafting created non-uniformity on the CNFs surface, as compared to polymer brushes. In addition, thermodynamic work of adhesion and work of cohesion for the modified CNFs were reduced in water and diiodomethane solvents. Dispersion factor was studied to indicate the dispersibility of CNFs in polar and non-polar media. Dispersion energy was reduced after modification as a result of decreasing interfacial tension and the dispersibility of modified CNFs was improved in diiodomethane.     

PS/PMMA mixed polymer brushes on the surface of clay layers: Preparation and application in polymer blends

Polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) mixed polymer brushes on the surface of clay layers were prepared by using in situ free radical polymerization. Free radical initiator molecules with two quaternary ammonium groups at both ends were intercalated into the interlayer spacing of clay layers. The amount of polymer brushes grafted on the surface of clay layers can be controlled by controlling the polymerization time. Thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope results indicated successful preparation of the mixed polymer brushes on the surface of clay layers. The kinetics of the grafting of the monomers was also studied. The mixed polymer brushes on the surface of clay layers were used as compatibilizers in blends of PS and PMMA. In the blends, the intercalated clay particles tend to locate at the interface of two phases reducing the interfacial tension. In the meanwhile, PMMA homopolymer chains tend to intercalate into clay layers. The driving force for the intercalation is the compatibility between homo‐PMMA chains and PMMA brushes on the surface of clay layers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5329–5338, 2007     

Combination of electrografting and atom-transfer radical polymerization for making the stainless steel surface antibacterial and protein antiadhesive

A two-step "grafting from" method has been successfully carried out, which is based on the electrografting of polyacrylate chains containing an initiator for the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 2-(tert-butylamino)ethyl methacrylate (TBAEMA) or copolymerization of TBAEMA with either monomethyl ether of poly(ethylene oxide) methacrylate (PEOMA) or acrylic acid (AA) or styrene. The chemisorption of this type of polymer brushes onto stainless steel surfaces has potential in orthopaedic surgery. These films have been characterized by ATR-FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and measurement of contact angles of water. The polymer formed in solution by ATRP and that one detached on purpose from the surface have been analyzed by size exclusion chromathography (SEC) and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The strong adherence of the films onto stainless steel has been assessed by peeling tests. AFM analysis has shown that addition of hydrophilic comonomers to the grafted chains decreases the surface roughness. According to dynamic quartz crystal microbalance experiments, proteins (e.g., fibrinogen) are more effectively repelled whenever copolymer brushes contain neutral hydrophilic (PEOMA) co-units rather than negatively charged groups (PAA salt). Moreover, a 2- to 3-fold decrease in the fibrinogen adsorption is observed when TBAEMA is copolymerized with either PEOMA or AA rather than homopolymerized or copolymerized with styrene. Compared to the bare stainless steel surface, brushes of polyTBAEMA, poly(TBAEMA-co-PEOMA) and poly(TBAEMA-co-AA) decrease the bacteria adhesion by 3 to 4 orders of magnitude as revealed by Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus adhesion tests.     

Controlled adhesion of Salmonella Typhimurium to poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) grafts

Poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate), POEGMA, brushes were prepared by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP) on gold‐coated silicon wafers. Prior to ATRP, the substrates were grafted by brominated aryl initiators via the electrochemical reduction of a noncommercial parent diazonium salt of the formula BF₄^?, ⁺N₂‐C₆H₄‐CH(CH₃)Br. The diazonium‐modified gold plates (Au‐Br) served as macroinitiators for ATRP of OEGMA which resulted in hydrophilic surfaces (Au‐POEGMA) that could be used for two distinct objectives: (i) resistance to fouling by Salmonella Typhimurium; (ii) specific recognition of the same bacteria provided that the POEGMA grafts are activated by anti‐Salmonella. The Au‐POEGMA plates were characterized by XPS, polarization modulation‐infrared reflection‐absorption spectroscopy (PM‐IRRAS) and contact angle measurements. Both Beer‐Lambert equation and Tougaard's QUASES software indicated a POEGMA thickness that exceeds the critical ～10 nm value necessary for obtaining a hydrophilic polymer with effective resistance to cell adhesion. The Au‐POEGMA slides were further activated by trichlorotriazine (TCT) in order to covalently bind anti‐Salmonella antibodies (AS). The antibody‐modified Au‐POEGMA specimens were found to specifically attach Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria. This work is another example of the diazonium salt/ATRP process to provide biomedical polymer surfaces. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Facile surface immobilization of ATRP initiators on colloidal polymers for grafting brushes and application to colloidal crystals

Bromo-initiators for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were successfully immobilized on the surfaces of cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) spheres by soap-free emulsion polymerization using CBr(4) as the chain transfer agent. Subsequent surface-initiated ATRP (SI-ATRP) afforded a layer of PMMA brushes covalently attached to the sphere surfaces. Colloidal crystal films of these monodisperse spheres were then studied to identify the relationship between variation in particle diameter and the optical properties. The particle diameters were controlled by varying the feed monomer proportions in soap-free emulsion polymerization and the thickness of the grafted brush layer. It was found that the particle diameter could successfully be controlled to obtain crystal films that produce a variety of brilliant colors in the visible region. The results of this study can provide useful information for facile preparation of surface-immobilized ATRP initiators on colloidal polymers and can be employed for grafting polymer brushes.     

Guided-ion beam and theoretical study of the potential energy surface for activation of methane by W+

A guided-ion beam tandem mass spectrometer is used to study the reactions, W(+) + CH(4) (CD(4)) and [W,C,2H](+) + H(2) (D(2)), to probe the [W,C,4H](+) potential energy surface. The reaction W(+) + CH(4) produces [W,C,2H](+) in the only low-energy process. The analogous reaction in the CD(4) system exhibits a cross section with strong differences at the lowest energies caused by zero-point energy differences, demonstrating that this reaction is slightly exothermic for CH(4) and slightly endothermic for CD(4). The [W,C,2H](+) product ion reacts further at thermal energies with CH(4) to produce W(CH(2))(x)(+) (x = 2-4). At higher energies, the W(+) + CH(4) reaction forms WH(+) as the dominant ionic product with smaller amounts of WCH(3)(+), WCH(+), and WC(+) also formed. The energy dependent cross sections for endothermic formation of the various products are analyzed and allow the determination of D(0)(W(+)-CH(3)) approximately 2.31 +/- 0.10 eV, D(0)(W(+)-CH(2)) = 4.74 +/- 0.03 eV, D(0)(W(+)-CH) = 6.01 +/- 0.28 eV, and D(0)(W(+)-C) = 4.96 +/- 0.22 eV. We also examine the reverse reaction, [W,C,2H](+) + H(2) (D(2)) --> W(+) + CH(4) (CH(2)D(2)). Combining the cross sections for the forward and reverse processes yields an equilibrium constant from which D(0)(W(+)-CH(2)) = 4.72 +/- 0.04 eV is derived. Theoretical calculations performed at the B3LYP/HW+/6-311++G(3df,3p) level yield thermochemistry in reasonable agreement with experiment. These calculations help identify the structures and electronic states of the species involved and characterize the potential energy surface for the [W,C,4H](+) system.     

Controlled grafting of well-defined epoxide polymers on hydrogen-terminated silicon substrates by surface-initiated ATRP at ambient temperature

Controlled grafting of well-defined epoxide polymer brushes on the hydrogen-terminated Si(100) substrates (Si-H substrates) was carried out via the surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) at room temperature. Thus, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) polymer brushes were prepared by ATRP from the alpha-bromoester functionalized Si-H surface. Kinetic studies revealed a linear increase in GMA polymer (PGMA) film thickness with reaction time, indicating that chain growth from the surface was a controlled "living" process. The graft polymerization proceeded more rapidly in the dimethylformamide/water (DMF/H(2)O) mixed solvent medium than in DMF, leading to much thicker PGMA growth on the silicon surface in the former medium. The chemical composition of the GMA graft-polymerized silicon (Si-g-PGMA) surfaces were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The fact that the epoxide functional groups of the grafted PGMA were preserved quantitatively was revealed in the reaction with ethylenediamine. The "living" character of the PGMA chain end was further ascertained by the subsequent growth of a poly(pentafluorostyrene) (PFS) block from the Si-g-PGMA surface, using the PGMA brushes as the macroinitiators.     

Motion of integrated CdS nanoparticles by phase separation of block copolymer brushes

A new method of reversibly moving CdS nanoparticles in the perpendicular direction was developed on the basis of the phase separation of block copolymer brushes. Polystyrene-b-(poly(methyl methacrylate)-co-poly(cadmium dimethacrylate)) (PS-b-(PMMA-co-PCdMA)) brushes were grafted from the silicon wafer by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). By exposing the polymer brushes to H2S gas, PS-b-(PMMA-co-PCdMA) brushes were converted to polystyrene-b-(poly(methyl methacrylate)-co-poly(methacrylic acid)(CdS)) (PS-b-(PMMA-co-PMAA(CdS))) brushes, in which CdS nanoparticles were chemically bonded by the carboxylic groups of PMAA segment. Alternating treatment of the PS-b-(PMMA-co-PMAA(CdS)) brushes by selective solvents for the outer block (a mixed solvent of acetone and ethanol) and the inner PS block (toluene) induced perpendicular phase separation of polymer brushes, which resulted in the reversible lifting and lowering of CdS nanoparticles in the perpendicular direction. The extent of movement can be adjusted by the relative thickness of two blocks of the polymer brushes.     

表面引发的原子转移自由基聚合法在聚偏二氟乙烯表面制备可控的聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯刷

采用表面引发的原子转移自由基聚合法(ATRP)在聚偏二氟乙烯(PVDF)表面制备结构可控的聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯刷。通过碱处理和紫外光照溴代的方法,将ATRP引入到PVDF表面; 然后采用ATRP法将甲基丙烯酸甲酯接枝到溴代的PVDF表面。采用傅里叶变换红外光谱和X-射线光电子能谱对改性前后PVDF表面的结构进行了表征。结果表明甲基丙烯酸甲酯成功地接枝到了PVDF表面。     

Highly efficient non-biofouling coating of zwitterionic polymers: poly((3-(methacryloylamino)propyl)-dimethyl(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide)

This work describes the formation of highly efficient non-biofouling polymeric thin films of poly((3-(methacryloylamino)propyl)-dimethyl(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide), (poly(MPDSAH)). The poly(MPDSAH) films were generated from the self-assembled monolayers terminating in an initiator of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) by the surface-initiated ATRP of MPDSAH. The poly(MPDSAH) films on a gold surface were characterized by ellipsometry, FT-IR spectroscopy, contact angle goniometery, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The copper complexes and unpolymerized monomers trapped inside the polymer brushes were completely washed out by soaking the poly(MPDSAH)-coated substrate in water at 40 degrees C for 4 days. The amount of proteins nonspecifically adsorbed onto the poly(MPDSAH) films was evaluated by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy: the adsorption of proteins was <0.6 ng/cm(2) on the surfaces for all the model proteins. The ability of the poly(MPDSAH) films to resist the nonspecific adsorption of proteins was comparable to that of the best known systems.     

Homopolymer and block copolymer brushes on gold by living anionic surface‐initiated polymerization in a polar solvent

Living anionic surface‐initiated polymerization on flat gold substrates has been conducted to create uniform homopolymer and diblock copolymer brushes. A 1,1‐diphenylethylene (DPE) self‐assembled monolayer was used as the immobilized precursor initiator. n‐BuLi was used to activate the DPE in tetrahydrofuran at –78 °C to initiate the polymerization of different monomers (styrene, isoprene, ethylene oxide, and methyl methacrylate). Poly(styrene) (PS) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in particular were first investigated as grafted homopolymers, followed by their copolymers, including poly(isoprene)‐b‐poly(methylmethacrylate) (PI‐b‐PMMA). A combined approach of spectroscopic (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface plasmon spectroscopy, ellipsometry, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and microscopic (atomic force microscopy) surface analysis was used to investigate the formation of the polymer brushes in polar solvent media. The chemical nature of the outermost layer of these brushes was studied by water contact angle measurements. The effect of the experimental conditions (solvent, temperature, initiator concentration) on the surface properties of the polymer brushes was also investigated. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 769–782, 2006     

Enantioselective self-assembly of bimetallic [Mn(II) (delta)-Cr(III)(C2O4)3]- and [Mn(II) (lambda)-Cr(III)(C2O4)3]- layered anionic networks templated by the optically active (Rp)- and (Sp)-[1-CH2N(n-C3H7)3-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5]+ ions

The ferrocenic ammonium (Rp)- and (Sp)-[1-CH2NR(3-)-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5] iodide salts with R=CH3, C2H5, n-C3H7, n-C4H9, were synthesized starting from the (Rp)- and (Sp)-[1-CH2N(CH3)2-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5] amines obtained in their optically active forms through asymmetric cyclopalladation of [C5H5Fe-C5H4CH2N(CH3)2]. 1H NMR studies of these planar chiral 1,2-disubstituted ferrocenic ammonium iodide salts in the presence of the (Delta)-(tris(tetrachlorobenzenediolato)phosphate(V) anion), [(Delta)-Trisphat] support the formation of specific diastereomeric ion pairs. Such intermolecular interactions can be related to the self-assembly of the two-dimensional optically active compounds [[(Sp)-1-CH2N(n-C3H7)3-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5][Mn (Delta)-Cr(C2O4)3]] and [[(Rp)-1-CH2N(n-C3H7)3-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5][Mn (Lambda)-Cr(C2O4)3]] starting from the resolved (Rp)- and (Sp)-[1-CH2N(n-C3H7)3-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5]+ ion associated to the racemic anionic building block rac-[Cr(C2O4)3]3- and Mn2+. Both enantiomeric forms of the networks behave as ferromagnets with a Curie temperature of 5.7 K.     

Synthesis of coil‐comb block copolymers containing polystyrene coil and poly(methyl methacrylate) side chains via atom transfer radical polymerization

A series of polystyrene‐b‐(poly(2‐(2‐bromopropionyloxy) styrene)‐g‐poly(methyl methacrylate)) (PS‐b‐(PBPS‐g‐PMMA)) and polystyrene‐b‐(poly(2‐(2‐bromopropionyloxy)ethyl acrylate)‐g‐poly(methyl methacrylate)) (PS‐b‐(PBPEA‐g‐PMMA)) as new coil‐comb block copolymers (CCBCPs) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The linear diblock copolymer polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐acetoxystyrene) and polystyrene‐b‐poly(2‐(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl acrylate) PS‐b‐P(HEA‐TMS) were obtained by combining ATRP and activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) ATRP. Secondary bromide‐initiating sites for ATRP were introduced by liberation of hydroxyl groups via deprotection and subsequent esterification reaction with 2‐bromopropionyl bromide. Grafting of PMMA onto either the PBPS block or the PBPEA block via ATRP yielded the desired PS‐b‐(PBPS‐g‐PMMA) or PS‐b‐(PBPEA‐g‐PMMA). ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography data indicated the target CCBCPs were successfully synthesized. Preliminary investigation on selected CCBCPs suggests that they can form ordered nanostructures via microphase separation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2971–2983     

Surface-initiated Atom-transfer Radical Polymerization from Polyimide Films and Their Anti-fouling Properties

A simple one-step method for the chloromethylation of polyimide (PI) under mild conditions was used to introduce benzyl chloride groups into PI film surface. Covalently tethered hydrophilic polymer brushes of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (PEGMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) were prepared via surface initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from the chloromethylated PI surfaces using benzyl chloride groups as the active ATRP initiators. A kinetics study indicated that the chain growth from the films was in agreement with a controlled process. The dormant chain ends of the grafted polymer on the PI films could reinitiate the consecutive surface-initiated ATRP to prepare surface-functionalized diblock copolymer brushes on the PI films. The modified surface was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) after each modification stage. Protein adsorption experiments indicated that the PI-P(PEGMA) membrane exhibited substantially improved anti-fouling properties compared to the pristine PI surface.     

Poly(acrylate‐b‐styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene‐b‐acrylate) Block Copolymers via Carbocationic and Atom Transfer Radical Polymerizations

A series of polyacrylate‐polystyrene‐polyisobutylene‐polystyrene‐polyacrylate (X‐PS‐PIB‐PS‐X) pentablock terpolymers (X=poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA), or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)) was prepared from poly (styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene) (PS‐PIB‐PS) block copolymers (BCPs) using either a Cu(I)Cl/1,1,4,7,7‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) or Cu(I)Cl/tris[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me₆TREN) catalyst system. The PS‐PIB‐PS BCPs were prepared by quasiliving carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene using a difunctional initiator, followed by the sequential addition of styrene, and were used as macroinitiators for the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl acrylate (MA), n‐butyl acrylate (BA), or methyl methacrylate (MMA). The ATRP of MA and BA proceeded in a controlled fashion using either a Cu(I)Cl/PMDETA or Cu(I)Cl/Me₆TREN catalyst system, as evidenced by a linear increase in molecular weight with conversion and low PDIs. The polymerization of MMA was less controlled. ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy was used to elucidate pentablock copolymer structure and composition. The thermal stabilities of the pentablock copolymers were slightly less than the PS‐PIB‐PS macroinitiators due to the presence of polyacrylate or polymethacrylate outer block segments. DSC analysis of the pentablock copolymers showed a plurality of glass transition temperatures, indicating a phase separated material.     

Au/聚4-乙烯基吡啶-b-聚乙二醇嵌段聚合物刷的合成及其pH响应行为

作为受限高分子体系的一个经典模型,高分子刷在胶体稳定、聚合物链的自组装以及摩擦学等方面具有潜在的应用价值。 本文通过原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)和点击化学(Click Chemistry)方法在金(Au)基底表面制备了pH响应性聚4-乙烯基吡啶-b-聚乙二醇(P4VP-b-PEG)嵌段聚合物刷。 通过频率-耗散型石英微天平(QCM-D)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和原子力显微镜(AFM)等技术手段分别对Au/P4VP-b-PEG聚合物刷经不同pH值溶液处理后的形态变化、表面组成和表面形貌进行了进一步深入研究。 结果表明,用不同pH值溶液处理P4VP-b-PEG嵌段聚合物刷后,该聚合物刷呈现刺激响应规律。 当pH=1.5时,P4VP链段质子化,由于静电排斥作用使P4VP-b-PEG链段呈伸展构象;当pH=11.5时,P4VP链段去质子化,并且由于失去部分结合水,P4VP-b-PEG链段呈塌缩构象。