polymer brushes

A new approach to synthesis at the aminated glass surface of novel biocompatible polymeric nanolayers consisting of poly(N-methacryloyl-L-proline) brushes has been developed. Formation of the polymer nanolayers has been realized in several stages. At the first stage, the glass surface has been modified by aminosilane (APTEC), afterwards monolayer of the peroxide-containing initiator (PI) based on pyromellitic acid has been tethered to this aminated surface.

Water-dispersed fluorescence nanomaterials based on boron nitride nanotubes and grafted copolymer brushes (poly(acrylic acid-co-fluorescein acrylate) were successfully fabricated in a two-step process. The functionalization of BNNTs was confirmed by spectroscopic, gravimetric and imaging techniques. In contrast to “pure” BNNTs, functionalized BNNTs demonstrate intense green fluorescence emission at 520 nm. The developed hybrid structure can potentially be used for cellular imaging, as “smart” surfaces, nanotransducers and nanocarriers.