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Synthesis of Well‐Defined Polymer Brushes from Silicon Wafers via Surface‐Initiated se ATRP
Author(s) -
Chmielarz Paweł,
Krys Pawel,
Wang Zongyu,
Wang Yi,
Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201700106
Subject(s) - atom transfer radical polymerization , acrylate , polymer chemistry , materials science , methacrylate , contact angle , polymer , chemical engineering , wetting , copolymer , polymerization , acrylate polymer , acrylic acid , composite material , engineering
Synthesis of densely grafted (co)polymer brushes, including poly( n ‐butyl acrylate), poly(2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), poly( n ‐butyl acrylate)‐ block ‐poly( tert ‐butyl acrylate), and poly(2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)‐ block ‐poly( tert ‐butyl acrylate) from silicon wafer surfaces via a simplified surface‐initiated electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization under constant potential/current conditions is reported. A sacrificial (nontethered) initiator is added to form free polymer chains in solution used to estimate the molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of chains attached to the surface. The polymers show narrow molecular weight distributions ( Đ = 1.10–1.33). Water contact angle measurements and ellipsometry are used to characterize wettability and thicknesses of the modified surfaces. Grafting densities up to 0.93 nm −2 are obtained. The rate of the polymerization is controlled by applying more negative potential values, which results in an increase in the surface thickness (up to 116 nm). Finally, the poly( tert ‐butyl acrylate) blocks are hydrolyzed to the poly(acrylic acid) blocks. These new, densely grafted brushes are promising candidates for applications in microelectronics, nanotechnology, tailoring of surface properties, nanopatterning, or antifouling coatings.