Polymer Brushes by Surface-initiated Polymerizations

In this method, a reactive group on the surface initiates the polymerization, and the propagating polymer chain grows from the surface (Fig. 9.19b). In principle, it can be employed with all polymerization types, and a number of papers have reported high amounts of immobihzed polymer using surface-initiated polymerization with various initiator/monomer systems. If controlled or Hving polymerization techniques are used, block copolymer or end-functionahzed polymer brush systems can be prepared in consecutive reaction steps (Fig. 9.19c). 

To realize surface-bonded initiating sites or their precursors, a variety of methods are applicable. Either organic (polymer) surfaces are irradiated or plasma treated to yield suitable functional groups [187, 195] or inorganic supports are covered with an interlayer of functional polymers bearing the desired groups. However, to gain control over the quantity of surface reaction sites and define the surface chemistry, interlayers of low molar mass a,co-functionalized surface active compounds are suit- 

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