SI-PET-RAFT Polymerization via Electrodeposited Macroinitiator Thin Films: Toward Biomedical and Sensing Applications
Lihan Rong, Xiang Cheng, Ge Jin, Olivia K. Krebs, Jeffrey R. Capadona, Eugene B. Caldona, Rigoberto C. Advíncula
Abstract
Surface-initiated photoinduced electron transfer-reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (SI-PET-RAFT) polymerization has been preferentially used for preparing thin polymeric film coatings due to its simple execution under ambient conditions (e.g., in air) and visible light requirement. In this study, we demonstrate the preparation of polymer brushes by SI-PET-RAFT polymerization on a thin macroinitiator film electrodeposited on electrically conductive indium tin oxide and gold surfaces. An electrochemically active carbazole-containing chain transfer agent as macroinitiator was shown to be not only effective in mediating SI-PET-RAFT polymerization for various monomers but also capable of forming block copolymers. Additionally, the fabricated polymer brush films were able to encapsulate colloidal gold nanoparticles, thereby demonstrating potential use for biomedical and sensing applications.