Comprehensive characterization of glycopolymer brushes based on controlled light-directed grafting/detachment strategy

Herein, we present a strategy for the autonomous regulation of glycopolymer brush construction and cleavage on glass substrates using surface-initiated photoinduced electron/energy transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (SI-PET-RAFT) polymerization. This process involves treating the chain transfer agent with a photocleavable moiety and linking it to glass substrates using 3-Aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES). Polymerization initiates at 510 nm with ZnTPP as a photocatalyst, and the glycopolymer brushes can be detached with 305 nm light. This allows GPC and NMR characterization, demonstrating controlled polymer structures with Đ <1.2. Glycopolymers formed on the surface, including d-glucose and d-mannose based polymers, enhance NCM460 cell adhesion compared to non-glycopolymer surfaces, enabling precise cell adhesion and detachment. This suggests potential applications in tissue engineering.