Surface-initiated polymerization for amplification of self-assembled monolayers patterned by microcontact printing

Patterned polymer brushes can be prepared by a novel strategy that combines surface-initiated polymerization and microcontact printing (see picture; μCP SAM indicates the self-assembled monolayer formed by microcontact printing). The living nature of the polymerization process permits the thickness of the polymer brush and its physical properties to be accurately controlled.