Cucurbit[8]uril directed stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymer brushes for dynamic surface engineering.

ABSTRACT: In situ modification of surfaces with thin layers of polymers is of growing interest as adjustment of surface properties can be made on demand. We present herein a supramolecular 'grafting to' polymer brush via the recognition of surface-bound cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) rotaxanes towards end-functionalised polyethylene glycol (PEG). This dynamic supramolecular method represents advantages over traditional approaches, which employ covalent bond formation in the 'grafting to' process. Brush properties can be easily modified post-preparation by exchanging the polymers with small molecules in a controlled, reversible manner. Including both redox- and light-responsive guests in a single rotaxane entity, the CB[8]-mediated preparation of the polymer brush offers unique opportunities t

SUBMITTER: Hu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5504464 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature