Stimuli-responsive hybrid coatings of polyelectrolyte multilayers and nano-patterned polymer brushes

Abstract

A new type of polymeric hybrid coating is created by layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) onto nano-patterned polymer brushes (NPB). The PEM is a hydrogen-bonded multilayer consisting of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(acrylamide) and the NPB is derived from a surface reactive rod-coil block copolymer, polystyrene-block-poly[3-(triethoxysilyl)-propylisocyanate]. The thickness of the PEM coating is optimized with respect to the height of the NPB mounds, to yield PEM/NPB hybrid coatings with unique nano-embossed or nanoporous structures that can be interchangeable by heating and moisture annealing. The hybrid coating is patternable by the micro-contact printing method. The results demonstrate that the combination of surface-bound, hydrophobic NPB layer with hydrophilic PEM films at the nanoscopic level offers a new organic hybrid coating with novel surface properties.