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Polymer Brushes for Surface Tuning
Author(s) -
Uhlmann Petra,
Merlitz Holger,
Sommer JensUwe,
Stamm Manfred
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.200900113
Subject(s) - materials science , microfluidics , wetting , surface modification , nanotechnology , polymer , brush , thin film , polymer brush , functional polymers , nanoparticle , chemical engineering , composite material , copolymer , polymerization , engineering
Mixed polymer brushes as functional ultra thin films for surface functionalization have an enormous potential to create a variety of smart, switchable, and multifunctional surfaces and thin films. It is shown how computer simulations can contribute to a better understanding of the switching behavior of brushes. Furthermore, it is described how polymer brushes can be used to create surfaces with switchable ultrahydrophobicity and wettability gradients, as well as functional layers for the immobilization of nanoparticles. Applications of these versatile and multifunctional brush coatings are envisioned in many areas including fluid control, microfluidics, and thin film sensors.