Photochemical Attachment of Polymer Films to Solid Surfaces via Monolayers of Benzophenone Derivatives

Abstract

We report a simple and yet effective way to photochemically attach thin polymeric layers to solid surfaces. The system is based on a photoreactive benzophenone derivative that is bound to SiO2 surfaces via a silane anchor. This substrate is then covered with a polymer film that is reacted with the benzophenone moieties by illumination with UV light (λ > 340 nm). As a result of the photochemical reaction, a thin layer of the polymer is covalently bound to the surface. Nonattached polymer is removed by extraction. As examples, we have successfully attached thin layers of poly(styrene) and poly(ethyloxazoline). The thickness of the layer is a function of the illumination time and the molecular weight of the polymer. The film thickness increases linearly with the radius of gyration of the polymers used for attachment. Using this system, we were able to photochemically attach up to 16 nm thick films of poly(styrene).

Coarse-grained modeling of interactions of lipid bilayers with supports

“…To address this problem several methods have been developed to increase the spacing between the bilayer and substrate. 15,18,[28][29][30] Nonetheless, measurements of pure and mixed lipid membranes performed directly on supports remain a valuable source of information on the nature of lipid-lipid and lipid-solvent interactions.…”

Blockcopolymer Self-Assembly Directed by Photochemically Attached Polymer Surface Layer

“…The height value was in good agreement with the diameter of gyration of bulk PS homopolymer, which was estimated to be 9.53 nm. The film thickness of photochemically attached polymer layer depends on the molecular weight of the polymer [14]. The perpendicular lamellar structure was observed as shown in Figure 5a.…”

“…The solution containing a polymer was spin-coated onto the SAM surface. The polymer-coated wafer was exposed to ArF excimer to provide a polymer-linked surface by the photoexcited cross-coupling reaction [14]. The unreacting polymer was removed by cyclohexanone to realize a polymer thin film on the Si substrate.…”

Surface treatment and characterization: Perspectives to electrophoresis and lab‐on‐chips

“…Prucker et al [185] reported a method to photochemically tether PS chains onto silicon wafers. First, a link is realized between SiO 2 surface and a silane modified with a photoreactive benzophenone group.…”