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The structure of grafted-from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) brushes is investigated as a function of confining stress and system temperature using neutron reflectometry (NR), numerical self-consistent field theory, and the reanalysis of colloid probe atomic force microscopy (AFM) data from the literature. For NR experiments, confinement is achieved using a custom-made sample environment, an
Multi-stimulus responsive poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate-co-2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) [P(MEO2MA-co-DEA)] 80:20 mol % copolymer brushes were synthesized on planar silica substrates via surface-initiated activators continuously regenerated via electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization. Brush thickness was sensitive to changes in pH and temperature as monitored with
The stability of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) brush-modified colloidal silica particles was compared to asymmetric and symmetric PNIPAM brush direct force measurements in the presence of 1, 10, and 500 mM aqueous salt solution of KCl, KNO3, and KSCN between 10 and 45 °C. Dynamic light scattering measurements highlighted subtle variations in the salt-mediated thermoresponse, while atomic fo
The temperature induced swelling/collapse transition of poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA) brushes has been investigated in electrolyte solutions comprised of multiple anions. The behaviour of a POEGMA brush in mixed salt environments of potassium acetate (KCH3COO, causes collapse) and thiocyanate (KSCN, causes swelling), two ions at opposite ends of the Hofmeister series, has been m
The swelling behavior of a hydrophobic poly(2diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (PDPA) brush immersed in aqueous solutions of single and mixed salts has been investigated using ellipsometry and numerical self-consistent field (nSCF) theory. As a function of solution ionic strength, the osmotic and salted brush regimes of weak polyelectrolyte brushes as well as substantial specific anion effects i
The effect of molecular weight and temperature on the phase transition and internal structure of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) brush modified colloidal silica particles was investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) between 15 and 45 °C. Dry particle analysis utilising transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT
Thermoresponsive polymers have received significant research attention as smart materials with particular interest in biomedical applications. The composition and architecture are known to strongly influence the thermoresponsive properties of the materials. For example, the strong overlap of end-grafted polymer chains in polymer brushes leads to a broader collapse transition relative to linear ung
Thermoresponsive ethylene glycol based comb-polymer brushes were studied as a function of copolymer composition in aqueous electrolyte solutions. Homopolymer poly oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (POEGMA300) and statistical copolymer brushes with 60 mol% OEGMA300 and 40 mol% (di(ethyleneglycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (MEO2MA) underwent a monotonic swollen to collapsed transitio
The effect of anion identity and temperature on the internal nanostructure of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) brushes were investigated using neutron reflectometry (NR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). NR and QCM-D measurements showed that addition of strongly kosmotropic acetate anions shifted the lower critical solution temperature
The influence of specific anions on the equilibrium thermoresponse of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) brushes has been studied using in situ ellipsometry, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and static contact angle measurements between 20 and 45 °C in the presence of up to 250 mM acetate and thiocyanate anions in water. The thickness and changes in dissipation exhibited a br
The anion-specific solvation and conformational behavior of weakly basic poly(2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (poly(DMA)), poly(2-diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (poly(DEA)), and poly(2-diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (poly(DPA)) brushes, with correspondingly increasing inherent hydrophobicity, have been investigated using in situ ellipsometric and quartz crystal microbalance with diss
The solvation and swelling behaviour of three dialkylaminoethyl methacrylate polymer brushes, of varying hydrophobicity, have been investigated using a combination of in situ ellipsometry and a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). At low pH the tertiary amine groups of the three polymers are protonated and all three brushes are significantly solvated and swell by adopting an exten
The swelling behavior of poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDEA) brushes in response to changes in solution pH and ionic strength has been investigated. The brushes were synthesized by ARGET ATRP methodology at the silica–aqueous solution interface via two different surface-bound initiator approaches: electrostatically adsorbed cationic macroinitiator and covalently anchored silane-bas
The effect of two different pair correlation functions, used to model multiple scattering in a slab filled with randomly located spherical particles, is investigated. Specifically, the Percus-Yevick approximation is employed and a comparison with the simple hole correction is made. The kernel entries of the hole correction have an analytic solution, which makes the numerical solution of the integr
Increased ocean temperature associated with climate change is especially intensified in coastal areas and its influence on microbial communities and biogeochemical cycling is poorly understood. In this study, we sampled a Baltic Sea bay that has undergone 50 years of warmer temperatures similar to RCP5-8.5 predictions due to cooling water release from a nuclear power plant. The system demonstrated
Rational design based on aesthetic principles from the 1930s dominates contemporary architecture and property development, contributing to a homogenous urban landscape. The aim of this paper is to examine how professionals involved in city centre development value different architectural styles. Based on a sample of 109 respondents, measuring the architectural preferences of city centre managers,
