1
|
Wolski K, Smenda J, Grobelny A, Dąbczyński P, Marzec M, Cernescu A, Wytrwal M, Bernasik A, Rysz J, Zapotoczny S. Surface engineering of mixed conjugated/polyelectrolyte brushes - Tailoring interface structure and electrical properties. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 634:209-220. [PMID: 36535159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.11.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Mixed polymer brushes (MPBs) could be synthesized by surface dilution of homopolymer brushes and subsequent grafting of other type of chains in the formed voids. Nanophase separation and dynamics of surface-grafted chains could be tailored by modification of their molecular architecture. Mixed polyelectrolyte and conjugated chains contribute synergistically to tailor properties of the coating. EXPERIMENTS A new synthetic strategy that allowed spatially controlled grafting of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) chains (PSSNa) in close neighborhood of poly(3-methylthienyl methacrylate) (PMTM) brushes (precursors of the conjugated chains) using surface-initiated polymerizations was developed. The final mixed conjugated/polyelectrolyte brushes were prepared by template polymerization of pendant thiophene groups in PMTM chains. Surface dynamics and nanophase separation of MPBs were studied by nanoscale resolution IR imaging, SIMS profiling and AFM mapping in selective solvents. FINDINGS Unconjugated MPBs were shown to undergo vertical, and horizontal nanophase separation, while the size and shape of the nanodomains were dependent on molar ratio of the mixed chains and their relative lengths. Generation of the conjugated chains led to diminishing of nanophase separation thanks to stronger mutual interactions of conjugated PMTM and PSSNa (macromolecular mixing). The obtained systems demonstrated tunable interfacial structure and resistance switching phenomenon desired in construction of smart surfaces or memristive devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karol Wolski
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Joanna Smenda
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Grobelny
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Paweł Dąbczyński
- Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Mateusz Marzec
- Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Wytrwal
- Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrzej Bernasik
- Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Jakub Rysz
- Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Szczepan Zapotoczny
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kopyshev A, Galvin CJ, Patil RR, Genzer J, Lomadze N, Feldmann D, Zakrevski J, Santer S. Light-Induced Reversible Change of Roughness and Thickness of Photosensitive Polymer Brushes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:19175-19184. [PMID: 27351592 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b06881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We investigate light-induced changes in thickness and roughness of photosensitive polymer brushes containing azobenzene cationic surfactants by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in real time during light irradiation. Because the cis-state of azobenzene unit requires more free volume than its trans counterpart, the UV light-induced expansion of polymer thin films associated with the trans-to-cis isomerism of azobenzene groups is expected to occur. This phenomenon is well documented in physisorbed polymer films containing azobenzene groups. In contrast, photosensitive polymer brushes show a decrease in thickness under UV irradiation. We have found that the azobenzene surfactants in their trans-state form aggregates within the brush. Under irradiation, the surfactants undergo photoisomerization to the cis-state, which is more hydrophilic. As a consequence, the aggregates within the brush are disrupted, and the polymer brush contracts. When subsequently irradiated with blue light the polymer brush thickness returns back to its initial value. This behavior is related to isomerization of the surfactant to the more hydrophobic trans-state and subsequent formation of surfactant aggregates within the polymer brush. The photomechanical function of the dry polymer brush, i.e., contraction and expansion, was found to be reversible with repeated irradiation cycles and requires only a few seconds for switching. In addition to the thickness change, the roughness of the brush also changes reversibly between a few Angstroms (blue light) and several nanometers (UV light). Photosensitive polymer brushes represent smart films with light responsive thickness and roughness that could be used for generating dynamic fluctuating surfaces, the function of which can be turned on and off in a controllable manner on a nanometer length scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Kopyshev
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Casey J Galvin
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7905, United States
| | - Rohan R Patil
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7905, United States
| | - Jan Genzer
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7905, United States
| | - Nino Lomadze
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - David Feldmann
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Juri Zakrevski
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Svetlana Santer
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam , 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Muller EA, Pollard B, Raschke MB. Infrared Chemical Nano-Imaging: Accessing Structure, Coupling, and Dynamics on Molecular Length Scales. J Phys Chem Lett 2015; 6:1275-84. [PMID: 26262987 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5b00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This Perspective highlights recent advances in infrared vibrational chemical nano-imaging. In its implementations of scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) and photothermal-induced resonance (PTIR), IR nanospectroscopy provides few-nanometer spatial resolution for the investigation of polymer, biomaterial, and related soft-matter surfaces and nanostructures. Broad-band IR s-SNOM with coherent laser and synchrotron sources allows for chemical recognition with small-ensemble sensitivity and the potential for sensitivity reaching the single-molecule limit. Probing selected vibrational marker resonances, it gives access to nanoscale chemical imaging of composition, domain morphologies, order/disorder, molecular orientation, or crystallographic phases. Local intra- and intermolecular coupling can be measured through frequency shifts of a vibrational marker in heterogeneous environments and associated inhomogeneities in vibrational dephasing. In combination with ultrafast spectroscopy, the vibrational coherent evolution of homogeneous sub-ensembles coupled to their environment can be observed. Outstanding challenges are discussed in terms of extensions to coherent and multidimensional spectroscopies, implementation in liquid and in situ environments, general sample limitations, and engineering s-SNOM scanning probes to better control the nano-localized optical excitation and to increase sensitivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Muller
- Department of Physics, Department of Chemistry, and JILA, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Benjamin Pollard
- Department of Physics, Department of Chemistry, and JILA, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Markus B Raschke
- Department of Physics, Department of Chemistry, and JILA, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Amphiphilically stabilized block copolymer particles via heterophase polymerization in glacial acetic acid. Colloid Polym Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00396-012-2737-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
5
|
Kopf I, Peindy N'Dongo HW, Ballout F, Schatzschneider U, Bründermann E, Havenith M. Introducing cymantrene labels into scattering scanning near-field infrared microscopy. Analyst 2012; 137:4995-5001. [DOI: 10.1039/c2an16201f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|