Abstract: Herein, we describe a simple and robust approach to repeatedly modify surfaces with polymer brushes through surface-initiated atomic transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP), based on an initiator-embedded polystyrene sheet that does not rely on specific surface chemistries for initiator immobilization. The surface-grafted polymer brushes can be wiped away to expose fresh underlying initiator that re-initiates polymerization. This strategy provides a facile route for modification of molded or embossed surfaces, with possible applications in the preparation of fluidic devices and polymer-embedded circuits.

KeyWords Plus: SELF-ASSEMBLED MONOLAYERS; TRANSFER RADICAL POLYMERIZATION; BRUSHES; POLY(DIMETHYLSILOXANE); FABRICATION; POLYMERS; FILMS

Published in ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION, 55 (13):4260-4264; 10.1002/anie.201600080 MAR 18 2016