Comparison of two “grafting from” techniques for surface functionalization: Cathodic electrografting and surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

The grafting of poly n-butyl methacrylate (PBuMA) on gold surface has been achieved via cathodic electrografting and by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). Both polymerizations, that are classically referred to as “grafting from” methods, can be carried out in similar conditions for the synthesis of grafted organic coatings on conducting surfaces. The aim of this study is thus to compare those two techniques in terms of film thickness and time of polymerization. Experimental conditions are compared and discussed. Both polymerizations were followed in situ by QCM. The resulting grafted polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and XPS spectroscopies. Both methods appear to be valuable tools for the synthesis of grafted organic coatings on conducting surfaces, but with different scopes of applications.