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Wolski K, Smenda J, Świerz W, Dąbczyński P, Marzec M, Zapotoczny S. Self-Templating Copolymerization to Produce Robust Conductive Nanocoatings Based on Conjugated Polymer Brushes with Implementable Memristive Characteristics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2309216. [PMID: 38334248 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
An effective synthesis of conductive polymer brushes, i.e., self-templating surface-initiated copolymerization (ST-SICP), is developed. It proceeds through copolymerization of pendant thiophene groups in the precursor multimonomer poly(3-methylthienyl methacrylate) (PMTM) brushes with free 3-methylthiophene (3MT) monomers leading to PMTM-co-P3MT brushes. This approach leads to improved conformational freedom of generated conjugated poly(thiophene)-based chains and their higher share in the brushes with respect to conjugation of pendant thiophene groups only. As a result, best performing conjugated PMTM-co-P3MT brushes demonstrate high ohmic conductivity in both out-of-plane and in-plane direction. Furthermore, thanks to the covalent anchoring as well as intra- and intermolecular connections, highly stable and mechanically robust nanocoatings are produced which can survive mechanical cleaning and long-term storage under ambient conditions. Grafting of ionic poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa) in between PMTM-co-P3MT chains brings new properties to such binary mixed brushes that can operate as thin-film memristive coating with switchable conductance. It is worth mentioning that the crucial synthetic steps, i.e., grafting of precursor PMTM brushes by surface-initiated organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-O-ATRP) and PSSNa chains by surface-initiated photoiniferter-mediated polymerization (SI-PIMP) are conducted under ambient conditions using only microliter volumes of reagents providing methodology that can be considered for use beyond the laboratory scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Wolski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Joanna Smenda
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, Krakow, 30-348, Poland
| | - Wojciech Świerz
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Paweł Dąbczyński
- Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, Krakow, 30-348, Poland
| | - Mateusz Marzec
- Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30, Krakow, 30-059, Poland
| | - Szczepan Zapotoczny
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
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Aldakkan BS, Chalmpes N, Qi G, Hammami MA, Kanj MY, Giannelis EP. Synthesis of Raspberry-like Nanoparticles via Surface Grafting of Positively Charged Polyelectrolyte Brushes: Colloidal Stability and Surface Properties. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:5837-5849. [PMID: 38457691 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
A method to synthesize stable, raspberry-like nanoparticles (NPs), using surface grafting of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) brushes on a polystyrene (PS) core with varying grafting densities, is reported. A two-step functionalization reaction of PGMA epoxide groups comprising an amination step first using ethylene diamine and then followed by a quaternization using glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride generates permanently and positively charged polyelectrolyte brushes, which result in both steric and electrostatic stabilization. The dispersion stability of the brush-bearing NPs is dramatically improved compared to that of the pristine PS core in salt solutions at ambient (25 °C) and elevated temperatures (60 °C). Additionally, the grafted polyelectrolyte chains undergo a reversible swelling in the presence of different ionic strength (IS) salts, which modulate the surface properties, including roughness, stiffness, and adhesion. An atomic force microscope under both dry and wet conditions was used to image conformational changes of the polyelectrolyte chains during the swelling and deswelling transitions as well as to probe the nanomechanical properties by analyzing the corresponding force-sample separation curves. The quaternized polyelectrolyte brushes undergo a conformational transition from a collapsed state to a swelled state in the osmotic brush (OB) regime triggered by the osmotic gradient of mobile ions to the interior of the polymer chain. At IS ∼ 1 M, the brushes contract and the globules reform (salted brush state) as evidenced by an increase in the surface roughness and a reduction in the adhesion of the brushes. Beyond IS ∼ 1 M, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring measurements show that salt uptake continues to take place predominantly on the exterior surface of the brush since salt adsorption is not accompanied by a size increase as measured by dynamic light scattering. The study adds new insights into our understanding of the behavior of NPs bearing salt-responsive polyelectrolyte brushes with adaptive swelling thresholds that can ultimately modulate surface properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashayer Saad Aldakkan
- Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Nikolaos Chalmpes
- Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Genggeng Qi
- Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Mohamed Amen Hammami
- Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Mazen Yousef Kanj
- College of Petroleum Engineering & Geosciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emmanuel P Giannelis
- Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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Wolski K, Smenda J, Grobelny A, Dąbczyński P, Marzec M, Cernescu A, Wytrwal M, Bernasik A, Rysz J, Zapotoczny S. Surface engineering of mixed conjugated/polyelectrolyte brushes - Tailoring interface structure and electrical properties. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 634:209-220. [PMID: 36535159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.11.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Mixed polymer brushes (MPBs) could be synthesized by surface dilution of homopolymer brushes and subsequent grafting of other type of chains in the formed voids. Nanophase separation and dynamics of surface-grafted chains could be tailored by modification of their molecular architecture. Mixed polyelectrolyte and conjugated chains contribute synergistically to tailor properties of the coating. EXPERIMENTS A new synthetic strategy that allowed spatially controlled grafting of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) chains (PSSNa) in close neighborhood of poly(3-methylthienyl methacrylate) (PMTM) brushes (precursors of the conjugated chains) using surface-initiated polymerizations was developed. The final mixed conjugated/polyelectrolyte brushes were prepared by template polymerization of pendant thiophene groups in PMTM chains. Surface dynamics and nanophase separation of MPBs were studied by nanoscale resolution IR imaging, SIMS profiling and AFM mapping in selective solvents. FINDINGS Unconjugated MPBs were shown to undergo vertical, and horizontal nanophase separation, while the size and shape of the nanodomains were dependent on molar ratio of the mixed chains and their relative lengths. Generation of the conjugated chains led to diminishing of nanophase separation thanks to stronger mutual interactions of conjugated PMTM and PSSNa (macromolecular mixing). The obtained systems demonstrated tunable interfacial structure and resistance switching phenomenon desired in construction of smart surfaces or memristive devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Wolski
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Joanna Smenda
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Grobelny
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Paweł Dąbczyński
- Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Mateusz Marzec
- Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Wytrwal
- Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrzej Bernasik
- Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Jakub Rysz
- Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Szczepan Zapotoczny
- Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
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Grześ G, Wolski K, Uchacz T, Bała J, Louis B, Scheblykin IG, Zapotoczny S. Ladder-like Polymer Brushes Containing Conjugated Poly(Propylenedioxythiophene) Chains. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23115886. [PMID: 35682563 PMCID: PMC9180196 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The high stability and conductivity of 3,4-disubstituted polythiophenes such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) make them attractive candidates for commercial applications. However, next-generation nanoelectronic devices require novel macromolecular strategies for the precise synthesis of advanced polymer structures as well as their arrangement. In this report, we present a synthetic route to make ladder-like polymer brushes with poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT)-conjugated chains. The brushes were prepared via a self-templating surface-initiated technique (ST-SIP) that combines the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) of bifunctional ProDOT-based monomers and subsequent oxidative polymerization of the pendant ProDOT groups in the parent brushes. The brushes prepared in this way were characterized by grazing-angle FTIR, XPS spectroscopy, and AFM. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements were used to extract the information about the structure and effective conjugation length of PProDOT-based chains. Stability tests performed in ambient conditions and under exposure to standardized solar light revealed the remarkable stability of the obtained materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Grześ
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (G.G.); (T.U.); (J.B.)
| | - Karol Wolski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (G.G.); (T.U.); (J.B.)
- Correspondence: (K.W.); (S.Z.)
| | - Tomasz Uchacz
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (G.G.); (T.U.); (J.B.)
| | - Justyna Bała
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (G.G.); (T.U.); (J.B.)
| | - Boris Louis
- Division of Chemical Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden; (B.L.); (I.G.S.)
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ivan G. Scheblykin
- Division of Chemical Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden; (B.L.); (I.G.S.)
| | - Szczepan Zapotoczny
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (G.G.); (T.U.); (J.B.)
- Correspondence: (K.W.); (S.Z.)
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Ding Z, Chen C, Yu Y, de Beer S. Synthetic strategies to enhance the long-term stability of polymer brush coatings. J Mater Chem B 2022; 10:2430-2443. [DOI: 10.1039/d1tb02605d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
High-density, end-anchored macromolecules that form so-called polymer brushes are popular components of bio-inspired surface coatings. In a bio-memetic approach, they have been utilized to reduce friction, repel contamination and control...
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Smenda J, Wolski K, Chajec K, Zapotoczny S. Preparation of Homopolymer, Block Copolymer, and Patterned Brushes Bearing Thiophene and Acetylene Groups Using Microliter Volumes of Reaction Mixtures. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:4458. [PMID: 34961009 PMCID: PMC8704565 DOI: 10.3390/polym13244458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of surface-grafted polymers with variable functionality requires the careful selection of polymerization methods that also enable spatially controlled grafting, which is crucial for the fabrication of, e.g., nano (micro) sensor or nanoelectronic devices. The development of versatile, simple, economical, and eco-friendly synthetic strategies is important for scaling up the production of such polymer brushes. We have recently shown that poly (3-methylthienyl methacrylate) (PMTM) and poly (3-trimethylsilyl-2-propynyl methacrylate) (PTPM) brushes with pendant thiophene and acetylene groups, respectively, could be used for the production of ladder-like conjugated brushes that are potentially useful in the mentioned applications. However, the previously developed syntheses of such brushes required the use of high volumes of reagents, elevated temperature, or high energy UV-B light. Therefore, we present here visible light-promoted metal-free surface-initiated ATRP (metal-free SI-ATRP) that allows the economical synthesis of PMTM and PTPM brushes utilizing only microliter volumes of reaction mixtures. The versatility of this approach was shown by the formation of homopolymers but also the block copolymer conjugated brushes (PMTM and PTPM blocks in both sequences) and patterned films using TEM grids serving as photomasks. A simple reaction setup with only a monomer, solvent, commercially available organic photocatalyst, and initiator decorated substrate makes the synthesis of these complex polymer structures achievable for non-experts and ready for scaling up.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karol Wolski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (J.S.); (K.C.); (S.Z.)
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Light-promoted synthesis of surface-grafted polymers bearing pyridine groups by metal-free ATRP in microliter volumes. POLYMER 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.124244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Słowikowska M, Chajec K, Michalski A, Zapotoczny S, Wolski K. Surface-Initiated Photoinduced Iron-Catalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization with ppm Concentration of FeBr 3 under Visible Light. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 13:E5139. [PMID: 33202639 PMCID: PMC7697009 DOI: 10.3390/ma13225139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Reversible deactivation radical polymerizations with reduced amount of organometallic catalyst are currently a field of interest of many applications. One of the very promising techniques is photoinduced atom transfer radical polymerization (photo-ATRP) that is mainly studied for copper catalysts in the solution. Recently, advantageous iron-catalyzed photo-ATRP (photo-Fe-ATRP) compatible with high demanding biological applications was presented. In response to that, we developed surface-initiated photo-Fe-ATRP (SI-photo-Fe-ATRP) that was used for facile synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) brushes with the presence of only 200 ppm of FeBr3/tetrabutylammonium bromide catalyst (FeBr3/TBABr) under visible light irradiation (wavelength: 450 nm). The kinetics of both SI-photo-Fe-ATRP and photo-Fe-ATRP in solution were compared and followed by 1H NMR, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Brush grafting densities were determined using two methodologies. The influence of the sacrificial initiator on the kinetics of brush growth was studied. It was found that SI-photo-Fe-ATRP could be effectively controlled even without any sacrificial initiators thanks to in situ production of ATRP initiator in solution as a result of reaction between the monomer and Br radicals generated in photoreduction of FeBr3/TBABr. The optimized and simplified reaction setup allowed synthesis of very thick (up to 110 nm) PMMA brushes at room temperature, under visible light with only 200 ppm of iron-based catalyst. The same reaction conditions, but with the presence of sacrificial initiator, enabled formation of much thinner layers (18 nm).
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Słowikowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (M.S.); (K.C.); (A.M.); (S.Z.)
| | - Kamila Chajec
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (M.S.); (K.C.); (A.M.); (S.Z.)
| | - Adam Michalski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (M.S.); (K.C.); (A.M.); (S.Z.)
- Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland
| | - Szczepan Zapotoczny
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (M.S.); (K.C.); (A.M.); (S.Z.)
| | - Karol Wolski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (M.S.); (K.C.); (A.M.); (S.Z.)
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