Shaping the Structure and Response of Surface-Grafted Polymer Brushes via the Molecular Weight Distribution.

Breadth in the molecular weight distribution is an inherent feature of synthetic polymer systems. While in the past this was typically considered as an unavoidable consequence of polymer synthesis, multiple recent studies have shown that tailoring the molecular weight distribution can alter the properties of polymer brushes grafted to surfaces. In this Perspective, we describe recent advances in synthetic methods to control the molecular weight distribution of surface-grafted polymers and highlight studies that reveal how shaping this distribution can generate novel or enhanced functionality in these materials.