Applications of surface-grafted macromolecules derived from post-polymerization modification reactions

The formation of functional polymers by implementing small-molecule organic chemistry reactions to homopolymers has attracted great attention lately due to an increasing number of novel potential applications. This post-polymerization modification (PPM) approach circumvents a number of problems associated with direct polymer synthesis and enables the creation of polymeric systems that are difficult or impossible to produce otherwise. This holds especially true in the field of polymer brushes where the tethering of the polymer chains to a surface complicates direct polymerization of bulky monomers. The advantages of PPM reactions do not stop with polymer synthesis. This review highlights a variety of innovations that stem directly from this approach. A selection of these applications includes modified barrier properties, catalysis, surface patterning, separations, and biologically active substrates.