title: Inverse and reversible switching gradient surfaces from mixed polyelectrolyte brushes.
abstract: We report on a thin polyelectrolyte film (mixed polyelectrolyte brush) with a gradual change of the composition (ratio between two different oppositely charged surface-grafted weak polyelectrolytes) across the sample. The gradient of surface composition creates a gradient in surface charge density and, consequently, a gradient of the wetting behavior. The gradient film is sensitive to a pH signal and can be reversibly switched via pH change.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Polymer Research Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Leonid
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ionov
authors.forename: Nikolay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Houbenov
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sidorenko
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stamm
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Luzinov
authors.forename: Sergiy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minko