Post‐polymerization Modification of Polymer Brushes

Abstract

This chapter describes the post-polymerization modification of polymer brush surfaces with small molecules along the repeat units of a polymer chain. This allows for incorporation of new functionality into a polymer brush scaffold without optimization for each new reaction condition. Different reactive pendant groups have been incorporated into polymer brush synthesis for post-polymerization modification reactions, such as thiol–ynes, alkynes, and activated esters. This chapter focuses on the controlled synthesis and functionalization of a homogeneous polymer scaffold using active esters. Modification of a polymer thin film and applications in creating spatially resolved multifunctional surfaces via photopatterning are also discussed.