Fundamentals and Applications of Polymer Brushes in Air

While polymer brushes in liquid have been researched intensively for several decades, the properties of brushes in air have only recently caught the attention of scientists. The reason for this is that several applications of brushes in air are currently being explored, such as in electronic noses or in gas separations. In this presentation, I will provide a microscopic picture of vapor-solvation of different types of brushes. By combining molecular dynamics simulations with neutron reflectometry measurements, atomic force microscopy and ellipsometry experiments, I will show that solvent-partitioning and thereby the mechanical properties of brushes strongly depend on the polymer-solvent affinity. In addition, I will evaluate differences between brushes and free polymer films. Based on these fundamental insights, I will propose optimal design parameters for application of brushes in sensing and separations technologies in air.