Manipulating interfaces through surface confinement of poly(glycidyl methacrylate)- block -poly(vinyldimethylazlactone), a dually reactive block copolymer

Bradley S. Lokitz, Jifeng Wei, Juan Pablo Hinestrosa, Ilia Ivanov, James F. Browning, John F. Ankner, S. Michael Kilbey, Jamie M. Messman

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    40 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    The assembly of dually reactive, well-defined diblock copolymers incorporating the chemoselective/functional monomer, 4,4-dimethyl-2- vinylazlactone (VDMA) and the surface-reactive monomer glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) is examined to understand how competition between surface attachment and microphase segregation influences interfacial structure. Reaction of the PGMA block with surface hydroxyl groups not only anchors the copolymer to the surface, but limits chain mobility, creating brush-like structures comprising PVDMA blocks, which contain reactive azlactone groups. The block copolymers are spin coated at various solution concentrations and annealed at elevated temperature to optimize film deposition to achieve a molecularly uniform layer. The thickness and structure of the polymer thin films are investigated by ellipsometry, infrared spectroscopy, and neutron reflectometry. The results show that deposition of PGMA-b-PVDMA provides a useful route to control film thickness while preserving azlactone groups that can be further modified with biotin-poly(ethylene glycol)amine to generate designer surfaces. The method described herein offers guidance for creating highly functional surfaces, films, or coatings through the use of dually reactive block copolymers and postpolymerization modification.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)6438-6449
    Number of pages12
    JournalMacromolecules
    Volume45
    Issue number16
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Aug 28 2012

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