Synthesis and Characterization of Surface-confined Responsive Polyelectrolyte Brushes
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Date
2006-05-17
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Abstract
Polyelectrolytes contain either acidic or basic monomeric units along their backbones. When the repeat units are weak acids or weak bases, the degree of ionization will depend on the solution pH. In addition to pH, the amount of charge on the macromolecule can be fine-tuned by varying the concentration of salt in the solution. We synthesize surface-grafted weak polyelectrolytes (polyelectrolyte brushes) and explore how their physico-chemical characteristics (most notably the brush height) depend on molecular weight, composition, solution pH, and ionic strength. In addition, we explore how one can utilize pH-dependent chain swelling in the fabrication of stimuli-responsive macromolecular switches and valves.
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Keywords
polymer brushes, polyelectrolyte, polyampholyte, PDMAEMA, PtBMA, PMAA, Chemical Gating
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Degree
MS
Discipline
Chemical Engineering
