Interfacial Properties of Environmentally Responsive Polymers

Direct force measurements quantified the substantial pH-dependent change in the molecular properties of end-grafted NIPAM-N-Gly-(C18) 2 monolayers. At pH 8.0, where the glycine side chains are ionized, the polymers exhibit stereotypical polyelectrolyte behavior. Side chain neutralization at pH 5.0 causes a substantial decrease in the film thickness, and the polymer films adhere strongly. The adhesion is presumably through H-bonding between the glycine side chains. Our findings revealed the likely molecular basis of pH-dependent changes in the copolymer films and identified clear design criteria for tuning the interfacial properties of these polymer films. In addition to the study of the interfacial properties of NIPAM-Gly copolymer, we also investigated the mucoadhesive properties using SFA and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), and identify key parameters that control the interaction between hydrogen bonding polymers and soluble mucin.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Zhu, Xi

Contributors dc:contributor

• Deborah Leckband

• Chemistry, Polymer

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3199203

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/82378