Surface modification of stimuli responsive polymers by wrinkling method: surface morphology and bacterial adsorption studies

Official URL: http://192.168.1.20/record=b1558962 (Table of Contents)

Stimuli responsive polymers are the great candidates to engineer the surfaces that can switch between different states of surface energy. Integration of those responsive polymers to the systems, where filtration or a controlled adsorption of the microscopic organisms are targeted, offers a very practical and functional pathway. Topographical modifications of these polymers may improve the wettability limits of the smart surfaces and the control over the adhesion of microscopic organisms. In this work, we present a useful method to form 2 distinct sets of surface modified thin films: Poly(Nisopropylacrylamide) [PNIPAAm] and poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate-coperfluorodecylacrylate) [poly(HEMA-co-PFA)]. Surface modifications of the thin films are achieved by the initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) of the polymers on stretched poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) molds in order to provide simultaneous chemical and morphological treatment. The surface properties of the flat and wrinkled thin films are analyzed. Wrinkled PNIPAAm surfaces are also investigated for bacterial attachment activity.