Phototriggered, Metal-Free Continuous Assembly of Polymers for the Fabrication of Ultrathin Films

Abstract

A facile and metal-free thin film fabrication technology based on the photoinduced continuous assembly of polymers (photoCAP) is described. The efficiency and versatility of this method is demonstrated by the formation of crosslinked and surface-confined nanoengineered thin films, in the form of surface coatings and hollow polymer capsules.

The role of capsule stiffness on cellular processing

“…27–29 The CAP approach is amenable to a wide range of macrocrosslinkers consisting of pendent vinylic groups and can effectively tune the film composition and thickness. 30,31 Previously, we have demonstrated a near-linear growth of film thickness with the increase in CAP step number for PHEMA, PHEA and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymers.…”

(Super)hydrophobic and Multilayered Amphiphilic Films Prepared by Continuous Assembly of Polymers

“…Recently, we introduced a versatile approach to fabricate nanoscale films, referred to as the continuous assembly of polymers (CAP), which involves the controlled chain‐growth polymerization of macro‐crosslinkers—(bio)macromolecules functionalized with polymerizable moieties—from initiator‐functionalized substrates to afford surface‐confined, crosslinked, ultrathin films with tailored properties 32–35. The CAP approach has distinct advantages compared to conventional dip‐ and spray‐coating techniques, as CAP can generate nanoscale films with tunable composition and thickness (10–180 nm), controlled by reaction time, the macro‐crosslinker composition, and/or the type of controlled polymerization technique employed.…”

“…Furthermore, the ultrathin nature of the films helps to retain the structural features of the underlying substrate, including the structure of the gaps/pores in porous substrates. The surface confinement of the CAP process also preserves the integrity of the macro‐crosslinker in solution, which can be reused/recycled for subsequent CAP reactions 34. The recyclability of the unused macro‐crosslinker and mechanism of the CAP approach therefore eliminates wasteful use of excess materials caused by overdipping or overspraying, hence making the CAP process potentially economical for scale‐up purposes.…”

Single‐Pot Encapsulation of Oxide Particles within a Polysaccharide Multilayer Nanocoating

“…This triacyl chloride attaches to the nanocoating through ester bonds with the hydroxyl groups and generates carboxylates after the aqueous workup. The carboxylated coatings further improved the dispersion stability through the combined electrostatic effect of the increased charge from the carboxylates and sterics that result from swelling of the carboxylated β ‐glu coating in aqueous media (Figure b) …”