Nanoparticles can be attached to polymer brushes, and in this way offer the possibility of the sensing of environmental conditions in the vicinity of the interface. The interfacial properties can be monitored, and also switching and responsive surface behavior can be detected in-situ via optical signals. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy in addition allows for a local chemical sensing of species close to attached nanoparticles. While polymer brushes usually respond directly to the environment, a reverse response may be introduced by functional particles. Those particles for instance will swell in water and expose their increased hydrophobic surface. In this way a hydrophilic substrate can be switched to a more hydrophobic state when it is exposed to water. When the water is removed, the surface returns to the hydrophilic state.

Switching and sensing of functional polymers at surfaces

245th National Meeting (2013)

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