It's All About Topology: The Evolution of Polymer Brushes and Their Performance

The application of distinctive polymer topologies, beyond the simple linear chain, to yield cyclic and loops-forming surface-grafted assemblies, enables a broad modulation of highly relevant, interfacial physicochemical properties. This is especially valid on flat surfaces, where the ultra-dense and highly compact character of cyclic polymer “brushes” provide an enhanced steric stabilization of the interface and a superlubricious behavior [1]. Alternatively, when cyclic brushes form shells on inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), their extraordinary structural properties make them impenetrable and long-lasting shields, which extend the stability of NP dispersions and hinder any interaction with serum proteins [2]. Polymer topology effects, typically observed in bulk or in solution are amplified by adding an additional boundary such as a grafting surface. Their precise tuning translates into materials with unprecedented properties and extremely high applicability.