Variable adhesion of icropatterned thermoresponsive polymer brushes: AFM investigations of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) brushes prepared by surface-initiated polymerizations

Thermoresponsive polymer brushes have been grown via surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization from micropatterned substrates (see Figure). Atomic force microscopy both in topography and adhesion force mode shows that the brush domains undergo reversible phase changes in water around the polymer’s lower critical solution temperature. These switchable patterned surfaces may form a new class of microdevices.