Anion- and Cation-Specific Response of the Aqueous Conformation of Strong and Weak Polyanionic Brushes.

ABSTRACT: Polyelectrolyte brushes (PEBs) are surface-tethered polymer chains bearing ionizable groups, whose structure and behavior are highly sensitive to environmental stimuli. When in solution, their response to ions makes them attractive for a variety of applications, including drug delivery, sensing, and smart coatings. In this study, we systematically investigate the specific effect of a wide range of divalent cations and counterions on the swelling behavior of strong and weak anionic PEBs, specifically poly(3-sulfopropyl methacrylate) (PSPMA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) brushes. The brushes were synthesized via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (Si-ATRP) and investigated using in situ ellipsometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to assess swelling behavior and

SUBMITTER: Bertei C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12613818 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature