Inverse and reversible switching gradient surfaces from mixed polyelectrolyte brushes.
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.
Ionov
Leonid
L
Institute for Polymer Research Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Houbenov
Nikolay
N
Sidorenko
Alexander
A
Stamm
Manfred
M
Luzinov
Igor
I
Minko
Sergiy
S