Synthesis of Polymer Brushes and Removable Surface Nanostructures on Tannic Acid Coatings

Abstract

Polymer brushes refer to polymer chains that are end-grafted to surfaces or interfaces at high grafting density. Polymer brushes are able to make surface self-assembly or surface coassembly with free block copolymer (BCP) chains, and surface nanostructures with different morphologies are formed on the surfaces. The formation of the surface nanostructures endows materials with new surface properties. To develop a simple and versatile approach to the synthesis of polymer brushes and surface nanostructures, the synthesis of polymer brushes and surface nanostructures on tannic acid (TA) coatings was investigated in this research. TA molecules were coated on the surfaces of amino-modified silica particles (SiO2-NH2) through noncovalent bonds. Quaternized poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-block-polystyrene (qPDMAEMA-b-PS) chains were anchored onto the TA coatings through electrostatic interaction between qPDMAEMA blocks and TA coatings, and PS brushes are formed on the particle surfaces. Thermo gravimetric analysis demonstrates the grafting of the BCP chains on the TA coatings, and the calculation results indicate that the PS chains on the silica particles are in the polymer brush regime. PS brushes on TA coatings are able to make surface coassembly with free BCP chains, and surface nanostructures with different sizes and morphologies are produced on TA coatings. The grafting density of PS blocks and BCP concentration both exert significant influences on the formation of the surface nanostructures. The surface nanostructures can be removed from the particle surfaces in the aqueous solution of sodium chloride. This research provides a simple and versatile method for the fabrication of polymer brushes and removable surface nanostructures on any solid substrates, which have specific interactions with TA molecules.

Tannin-Assisted Synthesis of Nanocomposites Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles and Their Multifunctional Applications

“…The results indicated that the Ag NPs’ specific surface area of TA 5 -PFRN@Ag catalyst is 2.82 times that of the PFRN@Ag catalyst. In addition, the abundant phenolic–OH groups on the TA coating can adsorbed the hydrophilic/benzene rings-containing reactions via H-bonding and π–π interactions. − Meanwhile, the easily ionized phenolic–OH groups can make the surface of TA-PFRN@Ag catalysts show negative charges (−31.3 mV), and then the reactants can be adsorbed to the around of Ag NPs via electrostatic adsorption. Hence, the presence of TA layer makes the nanocomposites possess more adsorption sites for reactants on their Ag NPs’ surface, thereby improving the catalytic efficiency.…”

Polymer Brushes and Surface Nanostructures: Molecular Design, Precise Synthesis, and Self-Assembly

“…(b) Schematic illustrations for the preparation of TA coatings on the surfaces of silica particles and the fabrication of nanostructures by self-assembly of polymer brushes and “free” block copolymers. Reprinted with permission from ref . Copyright 2023 The American Chemical Society.…”

“…Wang and co-workers reported a simple method for the synthesis of polymer brushes. 52 As shown in Figure 3b, tannic acid (TA) molecules were attached onto the surfaces of amino-modified silica particles via hydrogen bonding, and quaternized poly (2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-blockpolystyrene (qPDMAEMA-b-PS) BCP chains were immobilized on the particle surfaces through electrostatic interactions between qPDMAEMA-b-PS and TA coatings. Because the noncovalent bonds can be cleaved, the fabrication of the polymer brushes through specific interactions provides a method for the synthesis of cleavable polymer brushes.…”

“…The polymer-modified graphene could be dispersed in PMMA phases, enhancing the mechanical properties of the polymer. Wang and co-workers reported a simple method for the synthesis of polymer brushes . As shown in Figure b, tannic acid (TA) molecules were attached onto the surfaces of amino-modified silica particles via hydrogen bonding, and quaternized poly­(2-(dimethylamino)­ethyl methacrylate)- block -polystyrene (qPDMAEMA- b -PS) BCP chains were immobilized on the particle surfaces through electrostatic interactions between qPDMAEMA- b -PS and TA coatings.…”

Enhancing mechanical and shape memory properties of polylactide/polyamide elastomer blends via reactive blending with a chain extender

“…Although it exhibits comparable tensile strength and modulus to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), its elongation at break is confined to less than 10% and the notched impact strength falls below 20 J m À1 , consequently limiting its range of applications. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Thus, it is necessary to enhance the toughness of PLA. Various flexible polymers are preferred to toughen PLA such as poly (butylene succinate) (PBS), poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL), and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT).…”