New developments in polymer brush fabrication: concepts and physical properties of dynamic polymer brushes

Abstract

In contrast to fabricating polymer brushes using conventional grafting-to and grafting-from techniques, we fabricated polymer brushes using a novel concept. This novel concept involves block copolymer segregation from the polymer region at the water interface. The resulting polymer brush is called a dynamic polymer brush because block copolymer segregation is a dynamic process that occurs at room temperature and is activated through contact with water. Dynamic polymer brushes undergo self-organization in the processes of self-assembly and self-healing (if destroyed). However, the analysis of dynamic polymer brushes is typically complicated because they are only detectable when in contact with water and change over time. Dynamic polymer brushes are not only a fascinating research topic but can also be used in many different fields, and the concept of dynamic polymer brushes is recognized as a core surface modification concept. The concept and physical characteristics of dynamic polymer brushes are discussed in this review.