1 research outputs found
Controlling Surface Segregation of a Polymer To Display Carboxy Groups on an Outermost Surface Using Perfluoroacyl Groups
Controlling
the surface properties of solid polymers is important
for practical applications. We here succeeded in controlling the surface
segregation of polymers to display carboxy groups on an outermost
surface, which allowed the covalent immobilization of functional molecules
via the carboxy groups on a substrate surface. Random methacrylate-based
copolymers containing carboxy groups, which were protected with perfluoroacyl
(R<sub>f</sub>) groups, were dip-coated on acrylic substrate surfaces.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact-angle measurements revealed
that the R<sub>f</sub> groups were segregated to the outermost surface
of the dip-coated substrates. The R<sub>f</sub> groups were removed
by hydrolysis of the R<sub>f</sub> esters in the copolymers, resulting
in the display of carboxy groups on the surface. The quantification
of carboxy groups on a surface revealed that the carboxy groups were
reactive to a water-soluble solute in an aqueous solution. The surface
segregation was affected by the molecular structure of the copolymer
used for dip-coating