Monomolecular functionalization of pulsed plasma deposited poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) surfaces

A combination of X-ray photoelectron, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies have shown that pulsed plasma polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) leads to the deposition of structurally well-defined poly(HEMA) films. The molecular weight and surface hydroxyl density of these plasma polymer layers can be controlled by varying the electrical discharge pulse duty cycle parameters. These films are found to display hydrogel behavior, and the surface hydroxyl groups readily undergo reaction with diethyl-chlorophosphite. The latter is shown to be a useful way of coordinating catalytic rhodium complexes to solid surfaces.