(417g) Surface-Initiated Polymerization As a Tool for Chemical Patterning

When a surface is decorated with two or more covalently attached polymers, the properties of this surface can be altered through external stimuli. This surface-grafted polymer brush-based approach is considered a potent means to manufacture responsive surfaces with tunable physical properties. We highlight our recent work in using orthogonal Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) and Radical Addition Fragmentation Transfer polymerization (RAFT) techniques to tailor such mixed surfaces both on the nanoscale (mixed) and micron scale (binary). We describe the use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical microscopy and X-ray reflectivity to provide unambiguous evidence for our synthetic pathways and illustrate responsiveness towards increased humidity. The choice of selective solvents for either of the two species resulted in reversible microphase segregation and can provide a direct pathway towards switchable surface properties.