The mismatch in rigidity between a rod and coil type polymer gives rod polymers a high potential to project above the coil brush layer. The rod-coil mixed brushes offer possibilities for a high control of surface topography and spatial distribution of functional groups at the nanoscale level. Two new systems of rod-coil polymer brushes are reported. The helical polypeptide and liquid crystal (LC) polymer brushes were used as models for rod polymers. For the polypeptide-coil system, both solvent treatment and coil brushes were used to control the orientation of rod brushes and the size of rod assemblies. Through this control, surface morphology and properties of the mixed brushes were manipulated. A simulation model was also developed and compared with the experimental results for the polypeptide rod-coil system. In addition, the LC polymer and coil polymer brushes were synthesized in a controlled manner via SI-NMP and SI-ATRP respectively. The effect on the long rang order, phase separation and surface topography by composition, grafting density and molecular weight of the LC polymer and coil polymer was investigated. The crystallinity of LC brushes in the system was also determined with wide angle X-ray scattering.

Synthesis, processing and characterization of helical polypeptide and liquid crystalline rod-coil mixed brushes

256th National Meeting (2018)

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