Simple and fast method for the fabrication of switchable bicomponent micropatterned polymer surfaces

We report on the fabrication of micropatterned polymer surfaces that allow the reversible inversion of surface topography, charge, and wettability. Micropatterned surfaces were prepared by grafting two oppositely charged polyelectrolytes (poly(acrylic acid) and poly(2-vinylpyridine)) using a combination of photolithography, "lift off", and "grafting to" techniques. The switchable surfaces are of interest in microprinting and for the design of microfluidic devices and programmed protein adsorption.