Synthesis and characterization of well-defined polymer brushes grafted from silicon surface via surface reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was used to prepare polymer brushes grafted onto silicon wafer surface. Novel RAFT agent was prepared and immobilized on the silicon wafer surface. RAFT polymerizations were then conducted from the silicon surface to graft polymer brush to the silicon. Analysis of the polymer brush layers was conducted using ellipsometry, XPS, AFM and contact angle measurements, respectively.