Dynamic Contact Angle Measurement of Temperature-Responsive Surface Properties for Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Grafted Surfaces

We have investigated temperature modulation of surface properties for hydrophilic/hydrophobic changes using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm). Two types of PIPAAm were used as surface modifiers: an end-functionalized PIPAAm with a carboxyl end group and a poly(IPAAm-co-acrylic acid) copolymer. By means of dynamic contact angle measurements in water, the wettability of terminally polymer grafted surfaces using end-functionalized PIPAAm with a carboxyl end group were compared with that of multipoint polymer grafted surfaces using PIPAAm copolymers containing carboxyl groups along the polymer chain. Each PIPAAm grafted surface showed completely hydrophilic properties under 20 o C