title: Stimuli-responsive surfaces using polyampholyte polymer brushes prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization.
abstract: The synthesis of AB diblock copolymer polyampholyte polymer brushes of the type Si/SiO2//poly(acrylic acid-b-vinyl pyridine) prepared using atom transfer radical polymerization is reported. Both 2- and 4-vinyl pyridine have been used. The diblock polyampholyte polymer brushes demonstrate stimuli-responsive behavior with respect to pH, showing both polyelectrolyte and polyampholyte effects. Furthermore, we have quaternized the 4-vinyl pyridine segments to form a mixed weak/strong, or annealed/quenched, polyelectrolyte system. The quaternized polymer brush exhibits different pH-responsive behavior, with decreasing film thickness being observed with increasing pH.
authors.affiliation: The University of Akron, Department of Polymer Science, Goodyear Polymer Center, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, USA.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ayres
authors.forename: Crystal D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Cyrus
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Brittain