Brush-like polymers: design, synthesis and applications

With the development of controlled polymerisation, almost all polymerisation strategies have been successfully transplanted to surface-initiated polymerisation. The resulting polymer brushes have emerged as an effective tool for surface functionalization and modulation of the surface properties of materials. To meet various demands it is possible to tailor a material surface with polymer brushes that have diverse dimensionalities, morphologies and compositions. The crowded environment within polymer brushes as well as the stretched conformation of polymer chains sometimes provide unique physicochemical properties, which lead to the delicate creation of inorganic-organic hybridised nanostructures, anti-fouling coatings, biomedical carriers, and materials for use in lubrication, photonics and energy storage. So far, challenges remain in the high-precision synthesis and topological control needed to realize extended applications of polymer brushes. In this Feature Article, we highlight the topology, potential application prospects and various synthetic protocols, particularly for recently established methods, for the efficient synthesis of polymer brushes, as well as their benefits and limitations.

Autonomous fluorescence regulation in responsive polymer systems driven by a chemical oscillating reaction

A new autonomous luminescence-regulated mechanism in responsive polymer systems based on autonomous structure change driven by a chemical oscillating reaction.

Polymer brushes on metal–organic frameworks by UV-induced photopolymerization

A general strategy for creating polymer brushes on the surface of MOF nanoparticles and membranes is described.

Amphiphilic gels of solvatochromic fluorescent poly(2-oxazoline)s containing D–π–A pyrenes

We report amphiphilic, fluorescent, solvatochromic poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (POZO-py) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOZO-py), which contain D–π–A pyrene dye units in their side chains.