PH-responsive films of electrostatically adsorbed arborescent copolymers

Mongyoung Huh, Young Soo Park, Min Hye Jung, Shin Jae Kang, Tae Beom Kang, Abdul Munam, Mario Gauthier, Seok Il Yun*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The adsorption of charged dendrigraft (arborescent) copolymers of different generations (G1, G2) and side chain molecular weights (Mn 5000 or 30,000) on silica surfaces in water, was monitored by the quartz crystal microbalance dissipation (QCM-D) technique. The topology of the adsorbed copolymers on mica was also investigated by AFM measurements. The PS-P2VP [polystyrene-graft- poly(2-vinylpyridine)] copolymers readily interact with a silica or mica surface and form a thin layer in acidic water (pH 2) due to the positively charged P2VP shell branches. The adsorbed arborescent PS-P2VP films expanded and collapsed reversibly in water upon cycling between low and high pH values, respectively. As the generation number increased, the density of copolymer molecules adsorbed onto the surface decreased due to stronger intermolecular electrostatic repulsions. The adsorption density also decreased significantly for copolymers with longer P2VP chains due to their more expanded conformation on the surface.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)251-258
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Macromolecular Science, Part A: Pure and Applied Chemistry
Volume49
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 1 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Arborescent
  • adsorption
  • pH-responsive film
  • polyelectrolyte

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • General Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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