Polymer Surfaces, Interfaces and Thin Films

Content

• Special Issue: Polymer surfaces, interfaces and thin films

  • Keiji Tanaka
  • Takeshi Serizawa
  • Takashi Kato

  Editorial5 Apr 2016 Polymer Journal
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  Anti-fouling behavior of polymer brush immobilized surfaces

  Nature-inspired material design concepts and recent progress on anti-fouling polymer materials are reviewed, and our recent researches on anti-fouling studies with polymer brushes are summarized. Zwitterionic polyelectrolyte brush immobilized surfaces represent significant anti-fouling for bio-macromolecules, oil foulants, marine fouling organisms and pipeline foulants. The anti-fouling mechanism was considered on the basis of the wetting, lubrication, hydrated chain dimension and hydrogen-bonding structure of hydrated water in the polyelectrolyte brushes.

  • Yuji Higaki
  • Motoyasu Kobayashi
  • Atsushi Takahara

  Focus Review13 Jan 2016 Polymer Journal
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  Controlling the microdomain orientation in block copolymer thin films via cross-linkable random copolymer neutral layer

  Various cross-linkable poly(styrene-random-methyl methacrylate) (P(S-r-MMA)) that can neutralize substrates are reviewed. Four efficient cross-linkable random copolymers incorporated with benzocyclobutene (BCB), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), azide and ketene functional groups can be used to prepare a thin, cross-linked neutral layer. On this cross-linked layer, polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (P(S-b-MMA)), thin films produce microdomains oriented perpendicular to the substrate, confirming the effective neutralization of the substrate to both PS and PMMA blocks.

  • Seyong Kim
  • Hyun Suk Wang
  • Joona Bang

  Focus Review10 Feb 2016 Polymer Journal
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  Surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization for applications in sensors, non-biofouling surfaces and adsorbents

  This focused review describes how surface properties can be manipulated by combining surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI ATRP) and the very-large-scale integration (VLSI) lithography process. These fabricated surfaces with solvent-responsive or bio-inert/bioactive are applied to VOC sensors and non-biofouling/cell-growing surfaces. We also discussed the functionalization of renewable resources and how SI ATRP is extended to the applications of high-performance adsorbents.

  • Chih-Feng Huang

  Focus Review24 Feb 2016 Polymer Journal
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  Effective approaches for the preparation of organo-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes and the corresponding MWCNT/polymer nanocomposites

  Three approaches for directly reacting chemical agents and polymer chains with multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) are presented, including (i) sequential atom transfer radical addition/polymerization to MWCNTs; (ii) ozone-mediated addition reaction to MWCNTs; and (iii) Diels–Alder reaction-mediated MWCNT functionalization. On the basis of the reaction routes, the scopes and functions of MWCNT-based nanohybrids and nanocomposites have been extended.

  • Ying-Ling Liu

  Focus Review20 Jan 2016 Polymer Journal
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  Recent advances in AIE polymers

  The recent advances of AIE polymers, including structural design, synthetic approaches and practical applications have been summarized. A series of functional nonconjugated or conjugated AIE linear polymers with AIEgens on the side chains or main chains, and star-shaped or hyperbranched AIE polymers with AIEgens on the core or terminal parts are introduced. Their performances in a series of practical applications such as fluorescent sensors, stimuli-responsive materials, biological applications, porous materials and circularly polarized luminescence are updated.

  • Rongrong Hu
  • Yuan Kang
  • Ben Zhong Tang

  Focus Review10 Feb 2016 Polymer Journal
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  What are the emerging concepts and challenges in NANO? Nanoarchitectonics, hand-operating nanotechnology and mechanobiology

  This review tests you for survival in modern science and technology.Q1: Can we operate molecular machines by our hands?Ans: YES (Hand-Operating Nanotechnology)!Q2: Can we mechanically control life and bio-events?Ans: YES (Mechanobiology)!Q3: What comes after nanotechnology?Ans: It is definitely Nanoarchitectonics.

  • Katsuhiko Ariga
  • Kosuke Minami
  • Jun Nakanishi

  Review10 Feb 2016 Polymer Journal