Responsive and patterned polymer brushes

ABSTRACT While polymer brush systems continue to grow in popularity, so does their complexity and sophistication. Advances in polymerization and specific functionalization methods have led to novel applications in diverse research fields. The marriage of top‐down lithography with bottom‐up brush processing is becoming increasingly important in the development and progress of nanotechnology. The aim of this review is to examine different approaches taken to generate tailored polymer brush systems through surface‐initiated polymerizations as well as patterning techniques. Detaching polymer brushes to create free‐standing membranes is also highlighted and discussed in terms of methods and characterization. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1457–1472 There is a growing need for responsive, patterned polymer thin films in many areas of research including microelectronics and biotechnology. This review highlights polymer brushes, high‐tech coatings wherein the polymer chains are chemically attached to the surface. These functional films can be prepared by different methods and patterned for a wide variety of applications. Finally, recent advances in polymer brush film detachment and characterization are discussed.