Structure and surface properties of high-density polyelectrolyte brushes at the interface of aqueous solution

Motoyasu Kobayashi, Hiroki Yamaguchi, Yuki Terayama, Zhe Wang, Kazuhiko Ishihara, Masahiro Hino, Atsushi Takahara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Zwitterionic and cationic polyelectrolyte brushes were prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of 2-methacryloyloxy- ethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and 2-(N, N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), respectively. The poly(DMAEMA) brush was treated with methyl iodide to form poly[2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyltrimethylammonium iodide] [poly(METAI)]. The effects of ionic strength on brush structure and surface properties of densely grafted poly-electrolyte brushes were analyzed by contact angle measurements, neutron reflectivity (NR) and macroscopic friction tests. Both polyelectrolyte brushes exhibited hydrophilic properties. The contact angle of the poly(MPC) brush surface against water was ca. 08 in air and the contact angle of the air bubble in water was ca. 1708. The air bubble in water hardly attached to the poly(MPC) brush surface, indicating super hydrophilic characteristics. NR measurements of poly(MPC) and poly(METAI) brushes showed that the grafted polymer chains were extended from the substrate surface in a good solvent such as water. Interestingly, NR study did not reveal the shrinkage of the brush chain in salt solution. The polyelectrolyte brushes immersed in both water and NaCl solution at various concentrations showed a low friction coefficient and low adhesion force.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)79-87
Number of pages9
JournalMacromolecular Symposia
Volume279
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 1 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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