Smart surfaces

Materials that typify thermoresponsive behavior are polyethylene—poly (ethylene glycol) copolymers that are used to functionalize the surfaces of polyethylene films (smart surfaces) (20). When the copolymer is immersed in water, the poly(ethylene glycol) functionaUties at the surfaces have solvation behavior similar to poly(ethylene glycol) itself. The abiUty to design a smart surface in these cases is based on the observed behavior of inverse temperature-dependent solubiUty of poly(alkene oxide)s in water. The behavior is used to produce surface-modified polymers that reversibly change their hydrophilicity and solvation with changes in temperatures. Similar behaviors have been observed as a function of changes in pH (21—24). 

Nath, N., and Chilkoti, A. (2002). Creating smart surfaces using stimuli responsive polymers Adv. Mat. Proc. 14, 1243-1247. 

Zhou F, Huck WTS. Surface grafted polymer brushes as ideal building blocks for smart surfaces. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2006 8(33) 3815—23. 

Studies of typical nanomaterials (soil mineral components, adsorbents, silica gels with deposited proteins, so called smart surfaces, latexes, synthetic zeolites modified by ions, MCM-41 molecular sieves) were made earlier by the author of this chapter [11-17]. At present our research focuses on studies of surface properties (e.g. adsorption capacity), total heterogeneity (energetic and geometrical) of surface layers, as well as structures and phase transformations of... 

Alternatively, PNIPAAm was grafted on to aligned MWCNTs, generating a smart surface with thermal-responsive suprahydrophilic and suprahydropho-bic transition behavior.CNT-initiated ATRP of another acrylamide class of monomers has rarely reported yet, leaving space for the future work. Preparation of smart nanomaterials with both temperature and pH responsibility and exploration of the application of the smart nanowires are especially expected. 

In summary, the responsive behaviors on honeycomb film surfaces are dependent on their unique structure, which makes it possible to design new smart surfaces. 

Argentiere, S. Blasi, L. Ciccarella, G. Cazzato, A. Barbarella,G. Cingolani, R. Gigh, G. Smart surfaces for pH controlled cell staining. Soft Matter 2009, 5, 4101 103. 

Surface-active block copolymer can also be employed to carry a functional group or payload to the surface of a polymer matrix. PS-b-PDMS, wherein the silicone block was terminated with a silane group, was used to create smart surfaces with selective adhesion properties (71). When the block copolymer adsorbed at the surface of PS substrates, the silane group was presented to the surface. Adhesion was observed only toward polymer coatings that could react with the silane group, that is, polymers containing vinyl fimctionality. 

Stimuli-responsive polymers (mostly cross-Unked polymers that change there properties in dependence on the environment, possible applications in dmg delivery systems, smart surfaces for cell culture and regenerative medicine, sensors and actuators),... 

Nath N, Chilkoti A (2002) Creating Smart surfaces using stimuli responsive polymers. Adv Mater 14 1243-1247... 

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