The effect of calcium ion on the swelling structure of polymer brushes bearing phosphorylcholine (PC) and cholinephosphate (CP) groups in aqueous solution were investigated by scanning probe microscopy and neutron reflectivity measurements. The CP-type polymer brushes formed collapsed structure in the aqueous CaCl2 solution because the phosphate of CP, which is located outside the betaine unit, strongly interacts with calcium ions to form insoluble calcium phosphate. In contrast, no significant change was observed in the swollen thickness of the PC-type polymer brush in the aqueous CaCl2 solution.
- Takumi Komiya
- Norifumi L. Yamada
- Motoyasu Kobayashi
