TY  - JOUR
A1  - Reitenbach, Julija
A1  - Geiger, Christina
A1  - Wang, Peixi
A1  - Vagias, Apostolos N.
A1  - Cubitt, Robert
A1  - Schanzenbach, Dirk
A1  - Laschewsky, André
A1  - Papadakis, Christine M.
A1  - Müller-Buschbaum, Peter
T1  - Effect of magnesium salts with chaotropic anions on the swelling behavior of PNIPMAM thin films
JF  - Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society
N2  - Poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAM) is a stimuli responsive polymer, which in thin film geometry exhibits a volume-phase transition upon temperature increase in water vapor. The swelling behavior of PNIPMAM thin films containing magnesium salts in water vapor is investigated in view of their potential application as nanodevices. Both the extent and the kinetics of the swelling ratio as well as the water content are probed with in situ time-of-flight neutron reflectometry. Additionally, in situ Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy provides information about the local solvation of the specific functional groups, while two-dimensional FTIR correlation analysis further elucidates the temporal sequence of solvation events. The addition of Mg(ClO4)2 or Mg(NO3)2 enhances the sensitivity of the polymer and therefore the responsiveness of switches and sensors based on PNIPMAM thin films. It is found that Mg(NO3)2 leads to a higher relative water uptake and therefore achieves the highest thickness gain in the swollen state.
Y1  - 2023
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02282
SN  - 0024-9297
SN  - 1520-5835
VL  - 56
IS  - 2
SP  - 567
EP  - 577
PB  - American Chemical Society
CY  - Washington
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Hu, Neng
A1  - Lin, Li
A1  - Metwalli, Ezzeldin
A1  - Bießmann, Lorenz
A1  - Philipp, Martine
A1  - Hildebrand, Viet
A1  - Laschewsky, André
A1  - Papadakis, Christine M.
A1  - Cubitt, Robert
A1  - Zhong, Qi
A1  - Müller-Buschbaum, Peter
T1  - Kinetics of water transfer between the LCST and UCST thermoresponsive blocks in diblock copolymer thin films monitored by in situ neutron reflectivity
JF  - Advanced materials interfaces
N2  - The kinetics of water transfer between the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and upper critical solution temperature (UCST) thermoresponsive blocks in about 10 nm thin films of a diblock copolymer is monitored by in situ neutron reflectivity. The UCST-exhibiting block in the copolymer consists of the zwitterionic poly(4((3-methacrylamidopropyl)dimethylammonio)butane-1-sulfonate), abbreviated as PSBP. The LCST-exhibiting block consists of the nonionic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), abbreviated as PNIPAM. The as-prepared PSBP80-b-PNIPAM(400) films feature a three-layer structure, i.e., PNIPAM, mixed PNIPAM and PSBP, and PSBP. Both blocks have similar transition temperatures (TTs), namely around 32 degrees C for PNIPAM, and around 35 degrees C for PSBP, and with a two-step heating protocol (20 degrees C to 40 degrees C and 40 degrees C to 80 degrees C), both TTs are passed. The response to such a thermal stimulus turns out to be complex. Besides a three-step process (shrinkage, rearrangement, and reswelling), a continuous transfer of D2O from the PNIPAM to the PSBP block is observed. Due to the existence of both, LCST and UCST blocks in the PSBP80-b-PNIPAM(400 )film, the water transfer from the contracting PNIPAM, and mixed layers to the expanding PSBP layer occurs. Thus, the hydration kinetics and thermal response differ markedly from a thermoresponsive polymer film with a single LCST transition.
KW  - block copolymer
KW  - dual thermoresponsive
KW  - kinetic water transfer
KW  - neutron
KW  - reflectivity
KW  - thin film
Y1  - 2022
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202201913
SN  - 2196-7350
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
PB  - Wiley-VCH
CY  - Weinheim
ER  -