Kenneth R. Carter, James L. Hedrick, et al.
American Chemical Society, Polymer Preprints, Division of Polymer Chemistry
Patterned polymer brushes can be prepared by a novel strategy that combines surface-initiated polymerization and microcontact printing (see picture; μCP SAM indicates the self-assembled monolayer formed by microcontact printing). The living nature of the polymerization process permits the thickness of the polymer brush and its physical properties to be accurately controlled.