Switchable friction using asymmetric contacts of stimulus-responsive and non-responsive polymer brushes

Description

Stimulus responsive (SR), solvated polymers can switch between an expanded and a collapsed conformation via external stimuli. Using molecular dynamics simulations and atomic force microscopy experiments, we show that such SR polymers can be employed to control the frictional response of two opposing polymer brushes in relative sliding motion. By using a brush composed of SR polymers in contact with a non-responsive polymer brush, the overlap between the opposing brushes can be switched ON/OFF: When both brushes are swollen, polymers of the opposing brushes interdigitate, which results in high friction upon shearing. In contrast, when the SR brush is collapsed, the solvent maximizes the interaction with the non-responsive brush. The latter circumvents both brushes from interdigitating, which results in low friction upon shearing.

Period	3 Apr 2014
Event title	DPG Frühjahrstagung 2014 Dresden: (DPG Spring Meeting)
Event type	Conference
Organiser	Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft
Location	Dresden, GermanyShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International