Tuning the Thermoresponsive Behavior of Surface-Attached PNIPAM Networks: Varying the Crosslinker Content in SI-ATRP.

ABSTRACT: The synthesis and thermoresponsive properties of surface-attached poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide (PNIPAM-co-MBAM) networks are investigated. The networks are formed via SI-ARGET-ATRP ("grafting-from") on thiol-based initiator-functionalized gold films. This method is reliable, well controlled, fast, and applicable to patterned surfaces (e.g., nanopores) for networks with dry thicknesses >20 nm. Surface-attached PNIPAM-co-MBAM gels are swollen below their volume phase transition temperature but above collapse without complete expulsion of water (retain ∼50 vol %). The swelling/collapse transition is studied using complementary SPR and QCMD techniques. The ratio between swollen and collapsed heights characte

SUBMITTER: Thiele S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8041372 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature