Surface grafting of electrochemically crosslinked poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) brushes via surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization

Herein we demonstrated the preparation of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) containing polynorbornylene brushes on Au surfaces via surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (SI-ROMP). Using solid-state oxidative crosslinking technique, these polymer brushes were electrochemically converted to conjugated polymer networks. Grazing-angle FTIR spectra of polymer brushes clearly showed the characteristic vibrations of EDOT and norbornylene groups. Furthermore, densely covered Au substrates with polynorbornylene brushes were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy.

Graphical abstractPolynorbornylene brushes containing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) pendant moieties on gold surfaces were prepared via surface-initiated ring opening metathesis polymerization (SI-ROMP). Tethered EDOT and norbornylene groups on a Au surface were clearly identified from grazing-angle FTIR spectra. These polymer brushes were electrochemically converted to conjugated polymer networks using solid-state oxidative crosslinking technique. Furthermore, the polynorbornylene brushes densely covered the gold substrates which were microscopically characterized by SEM and AFM.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Preparation of EDOT containing polynorbornylene brushes on gold surfaces. ► Surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (SI-ROMP) on Au surface. ► Conjugated polymer networks using solid-state oxidative crosslinking technique. ► Grazing-angle FTIR characterization of polymer brushes.