Surface modification techniques polymer chains

Recently, surface modification techniques for polymer chains have progressed a great deal with the development of a new polymer synthesis method. In particular, surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) is one of the most effective modification methods for preparing a well-defined dense polymer brush structure, or polymer brush, on solid substrates. Thus, a self-oscillating polymer brush prepared by SI-ATRP can be expected to create a novel self-oscillating surface with autonomous function, which will lead to potential applications in transporting systems for nanomaterials of flow control in microfluidics. 

A comprehensive summary of the syntheses and applications of the ferrocene polymer brushes has been presented. Ferrocene-functionalized polymer brushes covalently bonded or physisorbed on solid substrate surfaces can be readily prepared via well-known surface modification techniques, such as surface-initiated polymerizations, reaction of the end-functional groups of polymer chains with substrate surfaces, and host-guest interaction. These electroactive polymer brushes have found applications in biosensors, anion-exchange chromatography, and redox-controlled modification of surface wetting properties. 

It is well known that polymer chain entanglement is the primary source of a polymer s strength. It is also known that over time polymeric materials can become increasingly semi-crystalline, making their surfaces even more difficult to accept surface modification techniques. The process of axially or biaxially orienting polymer films, for example, strengthens these materials as their chains become stretched. It is therefore common practice for surface modification techniques. 

The chemical modification techniques refer to the treatments used to modify the chemical compositions of polymer surfaces. Those can also be divided into two categories modification by direct chemical reaction with a given solution (wet treatment) and modification by covalent bonding of suitable macromolecular chains to the polymer surface (grafting). Among these techniques, surface grafting has been widely used to modify the surface of PDMS. 

---