The Weak Interaction of Surfactants with Polymer Brushes and Its Impact on Lubricating Behavior

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.5b01267
• Publication Date: 2015-08-17T14:38:21Z
• Authors: Ran Zhang; Shuanhong Ma; Qiangbing Wei; Qian Ye; Bo Yu; Jasper van der Gucht; Feng Zhou
• Keywords: Cationic polymerization; Hydrophobic effect

We study the weak interaction between polymers and oppositely charged surfactants its effect on lubricating behavior wettability of polymer brush-covered surfaces. For cationic (PMETAC) anionic (PSPMA) brushes, a gradual transition from ultralow friction to ultrahigh was observed upon adding surfactant as result electrostatic hydrophobic interactions polymer. The exchange led strong dehydration brush concomitant increase in friction. Upon above CMC, we find reduction for while brushes maintain high This difference two lubrication systems suggests different mechanism surfactants. zwitterionic (PSBMA) neutral (POEGMA) where could be negligible, there is nearly no uptake also lubrication.