Here, we report on a new temperature responsive polymer brush system with a terminal “click” functionality. Bifunctionalized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAAm) with distinct functional end groups was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and grafted to a modified silicon substrate. The presence of the active terminal alkyne functionality is validated using an azide-modified rhodamine B (N3-RhB) via copper(I) catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition (CuAAC). The optical properties and swelling dynamics of an N3-RhB modified PNiPAAm brush are analyzed in dry state and in situ by VIS-spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The best-fit results are obtained using a Gaussian oscillator model and are confirmed by UV/VIS-spectroscopy. We observed evidence of interactions between the aromatic residues of the dye and the PNiPAAm amide groups, which significantly affect the swelling behavior of the modified polymer brush. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Switching of surface composition and morphology of binary polymer brushes in response to changes in solvent selectivity, heating above glass transition temperatures, and contact with a rubbery stamp was studied. The binary brushes: polystyrene/poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (PS/P2VP), poly(styrene-co-2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorostyrene)/poly(methyl (meth)acrylate) (PSF/P(M)MA), and PS/PMMA were synthesized via two-step surface-initiated radical polymerization. Wetting experiments show that switching of brushes? surface composition upon exposure to solvents of various thermodynamic quality occurs faster than in 6 s. It takes longer time (5-10 min), if rate of solvent diffusion into the brush film is low. Discontinuous switching of surface composition of binary brushes is found upon exposure to binary solvents with gradually changed selectivity. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) shows quantitatively that the top brush layer (1) is dominated by respective favourite polymers after exposure to solvents of opposite selectivity and (2) comprises both brush constituents in almost symmetric ratio after exposure to non-selective solvents. Morphologies of binary brushes obtained after exposure to the solvents were studied with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Local top layer composition was sensed with X-ray Photoemission Electron Microscopy (XPEEM). The morphologies are relevant to the particular solvents, reproducible, and independent on previous solvents. Phase segregation beneath the brush top layers was visualized with plasma etching. Qualitative agreement of the experimentally observed morphologies and predicted with self-consistent field theory is found. Enrichment of a binary brush top layer with the polymer providing lower surface energy takes place after annealing. Perpendicular segregation of binary brush constituents was sensed with XPEEM on perpendicular walls of imprinted elevations after wet microcontact printing.