Frezza Chiara, Romano Susanna, Rocco Daniele, Masci Giancarlo, Sotgiu Giovanni, Orsini Monica, Santis Serena De
Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy.
Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Micromachines (Basel). 2025 Jul 31;16(8):899. doi: 10.3390/mi16080899.
Titanium is widely recognized as an interesting material for electrodes due to its excellent corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility. However, further functionalization is often necessary to impart advanced interfacial properties, such as selective ion transport or stimuli responsiveness. In this context, the integration of smart polymers, such as poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA)-noted for its dual pH- and thermo-responsive behavior-has emerged as a promising approach to tailor surface properties for next-generation devices. This work compares two covalent immobilization strategies for PDMAEMA on titanium: the "graft-to" method, involving the attachment of pre-synthesized polymer chains, and the "graft-from" method, based on surface-initiated polymerization. The resulting materials were characterized with size exclusion chromatography (SEC) for molecular weight, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for chemical structure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology, and contact angle measurements for wettability. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization studies were used to assess electrochemical performance. Both strategies yielded uniform and stable coatings, with the mode of grafting influencing both surface morphology and functional stability. These findings provide valuable insights into the development of adaptive, stimuli-responsive titanium-based interfaces in advanced electrochemical systems.
由于钛具有优异的耐腐蚀性、机械强度和生物相容性，它被广泛认为是一种用于电极的有趣材料。然而，通常需要进一步功能化以赋予其先进的界面特性，如选择性离子传输或刺激响应性。在这种背景下，智能聚合物的整合，如以其pH和温度双重响应行为而闻名的聚（甲基丙烯酸2-（二甲氨基）乙酯）（PDMAEMA），已成为一种为下一代设备定制表面特性的有前途的方法。这项工作比较了两种将PDMAEMA共价固定在钛上的策略：“接枝到”方法，涉及预合成聚合物链的附着；以及基于表面引发聚合的“接枝从”方法。通过尺寸排阻色谱（SEC）表征所得材料的分子量，通过傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）表征化学结构，通过扫描电子显微镜（SEM）表征表面形态，通过接触角测量表征润湿性。使用电化学阻抗谱和极化研究来评估电化学性能。两种策略都产生了均匀且稳定的涂层，接枝方式影响表面形态和功能稳定性。这些发现为先进电化学系统中适应性、刺激响应性钛基界面的开发提供了有价值的见解。
