Recognition-controlled adhesion

Molecular recognition-directed processes also provide a powerful entry into supramolecular solid state chemistry and crystal engineering. The ability to control the way in which molecules associate may allow the designed generation of supramolecular architectures in the solid state. Modification of surfaces with recognition units leads to extended exo-receptors [1,3] that could display selective surface binding on the microscopic level, and to recognition-controlled adhesion on the macroscopic scale [41].f... 

A surface is that part of an object which is in direct contact with its environment and hence, is most affected by it. The surface properties of solid organic polymers have a strong impact on many, if not most, of their apphcations. The properties and structure of these surfaces are, therefore, of utmost importance. The chemical stmcture and thermodynamic state of polymer surfaces are important factors that determine many of their practical characteristics. Examples of properties affected by polymer surface stmcture include adhesion, wettability, friction, coatability, permeability, dyeabil-ity, gloss, corrosion, surface electrostatic charging, cellular recognition, and biocompatibility. Interfacial characteristics of polymer systems control the domain size and the stability of polymer-polymer dispersions, adhesive strength of laminates and composites, cohesive strength of polymer blends, mechanical properties of adhesive joints, etc. 

In addition, these thin films have been important in studies of electron transfer, relevant for catalytic systems [64], molecular recognition [65], biomaterial interfaces [66], cell growth [67], crystallization [68], adhesion [69], and many other aspects [70]. SAMs provide ideal model systems, because fine control of surface functional group concentration is possible by preparing mixed SAM systems of two or more compounds, evenly distributed over the surface [71, 72], as two- or... 

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