COSI 2006
June 26^th - June 30^th 2006
Noordwijk, The Netherlands

Dr. Christine Jérôme

Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM)

University of Liège, B6 Sart-Tilman, B 4000 Liège, Belgium

C. Jérôme, S. Gabriel, M. Cécius, R. Jérôme

Electrografting is a one-step technique for tethering polymer chains onto conductive surfaces. In this process, polymerization of (meth)acrylic monomers is initiated at a well-controlled cathodic potential, whereas the chain propagation results from the chemical addition of the monomer to activated grafted species independently of the potential. This process has been successfully applied to a variety of acrylic monomers with the purpose to modify extensively the surfaces properties.

In a first example, an acrylate bearing a polymerization initiator in the ester group, thus an inimer, has been electrografted. Then polymerization of a second monomer (vinyl aromatic, lactone, cycloolefin…) has been initiated from the electrografted film ("grafting from" process), which allows for the film thickness to be increased in a controlled manner, for block copolymers to be synthesized and for nanostructures to be formed on the surface.

In a second example, N-succinimidyl acrylate has been electrografted, followed by the chemical grafting of a variety of nucleophiles, e.g., proteins, aminopolymers, aminoferrocene, by reaction with the succinimidyl substituents of the chemisorbed polyacrylate chains.

Finally, the electrografting of macromonomers, e.g., end-functional poly(ethylene glycol), poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly(vinyl methyl ether) has been carried out. Surfaces with very specific properties such as protein repellency, high hydrophobicity and temperature responsivity, have accordingly been made available.Developments in the field of biosensors will be emphasized.