A series of spherical epoxy-functional methacrylic diblock copolymer particles have been prepared via polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) in mineral oil at 90 oC. The epoxy groups can be introduced into either the steric stabilizer block or the core-forming block using glycidyl methacrylate as a comonomer. Adsorption of such epoxy-functional particles onto a planar stainless steel substrate is assessed using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) instrument at 20 oC to 40 oC. Interestingly, enhanced adsorption can be achieved relative to that observed for reference particles that contain no epoxy groups. Moreover, both the spatial location of the epoxy groups and the hard/soft nature of the particle cores are important parameters for optimising the adsorbed amount. We present experimental evidence to suggest that particle adsorption involves chemical adsorption, rather than merely physical adsorption.

Does epoxy functionality enhance the adsorption of diblock copolymer particles onto stainless steel?

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.