Poly(HEMA) Microbeads with Multi Amine Surface Functions for Reversible Metal Complex Formation

Abstract

Summary Polymer microbeads consisting of 20% 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 70% methyl methacrylate (MMA), and 10% ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were methane sulfonated (mesylated) using equivalent methane sulfonyl chloride‐pyridine. The methane sulfonate surface groups generated were employed as cationic initiation sites for surface initiated polymerization (SIP) of 2‐methyl 2‐oxazoline. The acetyl groups of resulting poly‐oxazoline brushes were hydrolyzed to polyethylene imines. This methane sulfonated group was also used for substitution of triethylenetetramine (TETA) by direct action. The resulting multi amine ligands on the surfaces were demonstrated to bind Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) ions reversibly.