The Preparation of a Thermally Responsive Surface by Ion Beam-induced Graft Polymerization

In this study, the preparation of a temperature-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-grafted surface was performed using an eco-friendly and biocompatible ion beam-induced surface graft polymerization. The surface of a perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) film was activated by ion implantation and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) was then graft polymerized selectively onto the activated regions of the PFA surfaces. Based on the results of the peroxide concentration and grafting degree measurements, the amount of the peroxide groups formed on the implanted surface was dependant on the fluence, which affected the grafting degree. The results of the FT-IR-ATR, XPS, and SEM confirmed that the NIPAAm was successfully grafted onto the implanted PFA. Moreover, the contact angle measurement at different temperatures revealed that the surface of the PNIPAAm-grafted PFA film was temperature-responsive.