Smart UV/Visible light responsive polymer surface switching reversibly between superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic

A photo responsive polymer surface was fabricated via plasma and UV induced surface grafting polymerization of a new azobenzene based monomer (TFMPAA) in microemulsion form. The grafted layer can endows the polymer surface with photo responsive property which can reversibly switch between superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic upon UV and visible light irradiation. The positive results suggest that porous TFMPAA grafted plastic substrates is a promising new material for microfluidic, cell culture, intelligent membranes and biosensor devices.101