Versatile Responsive Surfaces via Hybrid Polymers Containing Acetal Side Groups

Two hybrid polymers, poly(methylsilsesquioxane)‐poly(2,2‐diethoxyethyl acrylate) and poly(methylsilsesquioxane)‐poly(1,3‐dioxolan‐2‐ylmethyl acrylate), were synthesized and used for preparation of stable surface coatings. Their acetal side groups could be functionalized via solution‐dipping with different primary amines and hydroxylamines after acidic deprotection and thus allowed for flexible modification of the surface hydrophilicity. Functionalization with a thermo‐responsive polymer resulted in a thermo‐responsive surface with temperature‐dependent contact angles. Further, the two types of acetals showed different stability toward acidic treatment and could be addressed independently. Stable surface coatings were prepared using inorganic/organic hybrid polymers with reactive acetal side groups which allow for flexible surface modification via conversion of these side groups with different amines or hydroxylamines after acidic deprotection. Two different acetal groups were studied and found to be independently addressable yielding a system suitable for multifunctional surfaces.