Multi-stimuli responsive poly(ether amine) (PEA) brush fabricated by “thiol-ene” click chemistry

Multi-stimuli responsive poly(ether amine) (PEA) was successfully grafted on the planar silicon through a convenient and efficient way via “thiol-ene” click chemistry. The whole process for fabrication of PEA brush was carefully traced by XPS, AFM, ellipsometer and water contact angle (WCA). The results indicated that PEA brushes with different thickness can be obtained through both photochemical and the thermal processes. The obtained PEA brush in aqueous solution exhibited its response to temperature and pH value. With the increase of pH and temperature, the PEA chain became less hydrophilic and adopted the coil–globule transition.