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Published on: January 17, 2018
Surface "click" chemistry on brominated plasma polymer thin films
Rodney T Chen1, Benjamin W Muir, Georgina K Such
1Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|November 12, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed a stable brominated plasma polymer (BrPP) thin film for versatile surface functionalization. This reactive platform enables "click" chemistry applications, including microcontact printing with fluorescent alkynes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Plasma polymers offer unique surface properties but often lack versatile reactivity for further modification.
- Developing stable, functionalizable thin films is crucial for advanced material applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate a novel brominated plasma polymer (BrPP) thin film.
- To demonstrate its utility as a platform for secondary chemical functionalization.
- To showcase its application in "click" chemistry reactions.
Main Methods:
- Radio frequency glow discharge of 1-bromopropane to create BrPP thin films on various substrates.
- Nucleophilic exchange to introduce azide functionality onto the BrPP surface.
- Copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction for surface modification.
- "Click" microcontact printing (microCP) with fluorescent alkyne.
Main Results:
- A highly adherent and stable BrPP thin film was successfully fabricated.
- The BrPP film served as an effective platform for introducing azide functionalities.
- Azide-functionalized films reacted efficiently with alkynes via CuAAC.
- Successful "click" microcontact printing demonstrated the film's versatility.
Conclusions:
- Brominated plasma polymer thin films provide a stable and versatile platform for surface functionalization.
- The developed method enables the facile introduction of specific chemical functionalities via "click" chemistry.
- This approach opens new avenues for creating advanced functional surfaces for diverse applications.

