Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process
Published on: March 21, 2014
From pH- to Light-Response: Postpolymerization Modification of Polymer Brushes Grafted onto Microporous Polymeric
Matthias Dübner1,2, Maria-Eleni Naoum1, Nicholas D Spencer2
1Laboratory for Micro- and Nanotechnology, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), ODRA/105, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland.
Abstract:
A microporous pH- and light-responsive membrane that enables remote control over its interfacial properties has been fabricated. pH-Responsiveness was imparted to a porous polypropylene film via grafting of poly(methacrylic acid) brushes from the substrate using argon-plasma-induced free-radical graft polymerization. Morphological changes as a function of grafting level were analyzed using atomic force microscopy. Conversion into a light-responsive membrane was performed via postpolymerization modification to covalently attach photochromic spiropyran moieties to the grafted polymer brushes. Reversible switches in wettability and permeability were determined upon changing from acidic to basic pH or upon alternating UV- and visible-light irradiation. Additionally, light-responsive membranes show a switch in color upon UV exposure.
Related Concept Videos
12:00Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process
13:57Preparation and Friction Force Microscopy Measurements of Immiscible, Opposing Polymer Brushes
09:09Layer-by-layer Synthesis and Transfer of Freestanding Conjugated Microporous Polymer Nanomembranes
06:56Particles without a Box: Brush-first Synthesis of Photodegradable PEG Star Polymers under Ambient Conditions
10:09Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers
07:23Light-induced Patterning and Grafting for Slippery Surfaces based on Silane-coated Nanoporous Structures

