Rapid synthesis of polymer brush surfaces via microwave-assisted surface-initiated radical polymerization.

Microwave-assisted surface-initiated radical polymerization (µW-SIP) is demonstrated for the rapid synthesis of polymer brush surfaces on two-dimensional substrates. µW-SIP is carried out at constant temperature and microwave power allowing comparison with conventional SIP carried out in an oil bath at the same effective solution temperature. We show µW-SIP enables significant enhancements (up to 39-fold increase) in brush thickness at reduced reaction times for a range of monomer types (i.e. acrylamides, acrylates, methacrylates, and styrene). The effects of reaction time, monomer concentration, and microwave power on film thickness are explored.

"Clicking" polymer brushes with thiol-yne chemistry: indoors and out.

Thiol-yne click chemistry is demonstrated as a modular platform for rapid and practical fabrication of highly functional, multicomponent surfaces under ambient conditions. The principle is illustrated using a postmodification strategy in which poly(propargyl methacrylate) brushes were generated via surface-initiated photopolymerization and sequentially functionalized using the radical-mediated thiol-yne reaction. Brush surfaces expressing a three-dimensional configuration of "yne" functionalities were modified with high efficiency and short reaction times using a library of commercially available thiols, including functional thiols that demonstrate applicability for pH responsive surfaces and for bioconjugation. Sequential thiol-yne reactions in conjunction with simple UV photolithography were also applied to afford micropatterned, multicomponent surfaces. The practicality of the platform was further demonstrated by carrying out thiol-yne surface reactions in sunlight, suggesting the possibility of large scale modifications using renewable energy resources. Considering the mild reaction conditions, rapid throughput, and compatibility with orthogonal chemistries, we expect this platform to find widespread use among the materials science community.

Thermoreversible hydrogels from RAFT-synthesized BAB triblock copolymers: steps toward biomimetic matrices for tissue regeneration.

Narrowly dispersed, temperature-responsive BAB block copolymers capable of forming physical gels under physiological conditions were synthesized via aqueous reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The use of a difunctional trithiocarbonate facilitates the two-step synthesis of BAB copolymers with symmetrical outer blocks. The outer B blocks of the triblock copolymers consist of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and the inner A block consists of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide). The copolymers form reversible physical gels above the phase transition temperature of PNIPAM at concentrations as low as 7.5 wt % copolymer. Mechanical properties similar to collagen, a naturally occurring polypeptide used as a three-dimensional in vitro cell growth scaffold, have been achieved. Herein, we report the mechanical properties of the gels as a function of solvent, polymer concentration, and inner block length. Structural information about the gels was obtained through pulsed field gradient NMR experiments and confocal microscopy.