TNO Science and Industry, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Brush coatings are a relatively new class of coatings, consisting of a monolayer of polymer chains covalently attached to a surface. Being less than a hundred nanometers thick, they allow the creation of functional surfaces without altering the inherent properties or appearance of a product. We have developed a versatile technology to apply polymer brush coatings to a broad range of substrates, including polymers and metals. The use of a functional primer ensures a very high grafting density and good chemical stability. This way, we are able to create for instance a hydrophilic brush coating, which prevents the adhesion of bacteria to a surface and could be used as a hygienic coating for medical devices. Alternatively, the brush coating technology can be used to produce blood compatible surfaces or water-repellent surfaces.