Functional and Switchable Amphiphilic PMMA Surface Prepared by 3D Selective Modification

The design and creation of switchable amphiphilicity on the surface of thin poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) films are described. Amphiphilic properties are achieved through the 3D surface spatially selective modification using the membrane‐assisted diazonium approach. Proposed technique allows simple grafting with the hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds in the surface valleys or tops, depending on the order of modification steps. Thermally controllable hydro‐ and oleophilicity are achieved by the in‐plane and height distinguished grafting of PMMA films with bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) chains. Sample surface at different stages of the modification is characterized by the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Also the range of temperature‐dependent wettability tests (with water, hexadecane, and ethyleneglycol) is performed. The temperature controlled amphiphilicity switching is proved to be fully reversible and proceeding in seconds.