Characterization of swollen structure of high-density polyelectrolyte brushes in salt solution by neutron reflectivity

Motoyasu Kobayashi, Yuki Terayama, Masahiro Hino, Kazuhiko Ishihara, Atsushi Takahara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Zwitterionic and cationic polyelectrolyte brushes on quartz substrate were prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and 2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyltrimethylammonium chloride (METAC), respectively. The effects of ionic strength on brush structure and surface properties of densely grafted polyelectrolyte brushes were analysed by neutron reflectivity (NR) measurements. NR at poly(METAC)/D2O and poly(MPC)/D2O interface revealed that the grafted polymer chains were fairly extended from the substrate surface, while the thickness reduction of poly(METAC) brush was observed in 5.6 M NaCl/D2O solution due to the screening of the repulsive interaction between polycations by hydrated salt ions. Interestingly, no structural change was observed in poly(MPC) brush even in a salt solution probably due to the unique interaction properties of phosphorylcholine units.

Original languageEnglish
Article number012010
JournalJournal of Physics: Conference Series
Volume184
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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