In this work, we describe the use of microwave-mediated surface-initiated polymerization for the rapid preparation of polymer brush surfaces.  A range of monomer types (i.e. acrylamides, acrylates) were investigated and significant enhancements in the film growth rate were observed.  Reactions were carried out under conditions of both microwave irradiation and conventional heating for comparison.  As expected, the largest enhancements in polymerization rate were observed for polar monomers. We also studied the effects of concentration, reaction time and microwave power on the growth rate of the polymer brush.  Further, doped silicon wafer is known to efficiently absorb microwave energy, which possibly leads to a temperature gradient within the substrate and higher temperatures at the solid/liquid interface.  To investigate whether or not higher interfacial temperatures were the cause of the observed enhancement in film growth rate, we also conducted SIP reactions on glass substrates.

Rapid synthesis of polymer brush surfaces via microwave-assisted surface-initiated polymerization

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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