Ferrocene Polymers for Switchable Surface Wettability

The changes in surface wettability induced by immobilized polyvinylferrocene (PVFc) and poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl ferrocenecarboxylate) (PFcMA) on silica wafers were studied after oxidation with two different oxidation reagents. Surface-attached PFcMA was accessible by applying a surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) protocol, while end-functionalized PVFc was immobilized by using a grafting onto approach. In the case of PFcMA, a remarkable contact angle (CA) drop for water of approximately 70 degrees after oxidation could be observed, while the effect for immobilized PVFc after oxidation was less pronounced (CA drop of approximately 30 degrees). In the case of PFcMA, the effect of chain length was additionally studied, showing a more significant CA drop for PFcMA chains with higher molar masses.