 An efficient technique for tuning the protein adsorption capability and surface properties of thermally responsive polymer brushes is reported. This technique is unique in that responsive layers of varying thickness (30nm-100nm) can be chemically anchored in a 1-step fashion to various substrates using grafting of block copolymers. To this end, a series of block copolymers were synthesized bearing poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) blocks of varying molecular weight, and a constant length poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) block segment. The PGMA component serves as the anchoring block via covalent attachment due to PGMA epoxy functionalities and complimentary substrate surface chemical groups. This technique allows for 1-step modification of a wide variety of organic and inorganic surfaces, as long as the surface contains functionalities reactive with epoxy groups. It was demonstrated that properties such as grafting density, protein adsorption, protein adhesion, surface wettability, and film morphology can be controlled by tuning the molecular weight of the PGMA block.

One-step synthesis of thermally responsive polymer brushes for control of surface properties and biological interaction

245th National Meeting (2013)

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