Two Routes for Immobilization of a Hyperbranched OH-Terminated Polyester on a Silicon Surface

Summary: Stable thin films of a hyperbranched aromatic-aliphatic OH-terminated polyester (POH) were prepared on silicon substrates. We report on grafting-to processes using macromolecular (PGMA) and bifunctional low-molecular weight coupling agents (BOX). An appropriate annealing procedure was developed for the covalent immobilization. The HBP films were characterized with spectroscopic ellipsometry, drop shape analysis (DSA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrokinetic measurements. The immobilized films have an uniform surface morphology and are slightly hydrophilic (θ_a = 79°). The grafting process did not influence the chemical composition and the surface properties, which is important for the further application as functional layers in aqueous media.