Stimuli-Responsive Polymeric Surface Materials

• US 20090317621A1
• Filed: 07/21/2009
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation (Purdue University)
• Original Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation (Purdue University)
• Inventors: Howarter, John A., Youngblood, Jeffrey P.
• Application Number:
  US12/506,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20090317621A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/319.300
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 259/08 on to polymers containing fluorine
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 265/04 on to polymers of esters
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 265/06 Polymerisation of acrylate or methacrylate esters on to polymers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 283/06 on to polyethers, polyoxymethylenes or polyacetals C08F283/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249991 Synthetic resin or natural rubbers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31667 Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers, or aldehyde or ketone condensation product

Abstract

A copolymer comprises a first monomer including a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group linked to the hydrophilic group, and a second monomer polymerized to the first monomer. The hydrophobic group is oil-repellant. A receding contact angle of a low surface energy fluid on the copolymer is greater than an advancing contact angle of a high surface energy fluid on the copolymer.

Claims

1. A copolymer comprising:

a first monomer including a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group linked to the hydrophilic group; and

a second monomer polymerized to the first monomer,

wherein the hydrophobic group is oil-repellant, and

wherein a receding contact angle of a low surface energy fluid on the copolymer is greater than an advancing contact angle of a high surface energy fluid on the copolymer.

2. The copolymer of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic group is selected from a group consisting of poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone).

3. The copolymer of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic group is selected from a group consisting of a fluorinated group, hydrophobic siloxane, and an alkyl group.

4. The copolymer of claim 1, wherein the first monomer further comprises a methacrylate group, which is polymerized to the second monomer.

5. The copolymer of claim 1, wherein the first monomer is poly(ethylene glycol) modified by a fluorinated group and a methacrylate group.

6. The copolymer of claim 1, wherein the second monomer is selected form a group consisting of acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, 4-vinyl pyridine, and hydroxyethyl methacrylate.

7. The copolymer of claim 1, which is substantially not water soluble.

8. The copolymer of claim 1, which is hydrophilic and oleophobic.

9. The copolymer of claim 1, wherein the advancing contact angle of the high surface energy fluid is lower than about 40°

.

10. A device comprising:

a surface, where at least part of the surface is coated with a copolymer, the copolymer comprising a first monomer including a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group linked to the hydrophilic group, and a second monomer polymerized to the first monomer,

wherein the hydrophobic group is oil-repellant, and

wherein the copolymer is presented on the surface in a configuration and the amount of the copolymer coated onto the surface is adjusted in a manner such that a receding contact angle of a low surface energy fluid on the surface is greater than an advancing contact angle of a high surface energy fluid on the surface.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the copolymer is non-covalently coated to the surface.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein at least some of the part of the copolymer corresponding to the second monomer contacts the surface.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the copolymer has a bulky form.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the surface is water-wettable.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the surface comprises a water swellable and porous surface or a silica surface.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein the low surface energy fluid is an oil, the high surface energy fluid is water, and the advancing water contact angle is about 40°

lower than receding hexadecane contact angle.

17. A device comprising:

a surface, at least part of the surface being coated with a compound, the compound comprising a hydrophilic group and a hydrophobic group linked to the hydrophilic group,

wherein the hydrophobic group is oil-repellant, and

wherein the compound is presented on the surface in a configuration and the amount of the compound coated onto the surface is adjusted in a manner such that a receding contact angle of a low surface energy fluid on the surface is greater than an advancing contact angle of a high surface energy fluid on the surface.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the compound is covalently coated to the surface.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the surface comprises a silica surface.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the compound has a brush-like form.