Reversible surface functionalisation of emulsion-templated porous polymers using dithiophenol maleimide functional macromolecules

Abstract

A new facile and efficient route for the chemical functionalisation of thiol–acrylate polyHIPE materials with responsive macromolecules using the highly emissive dithiomaleimide (DTM) linker is demonstrated. Functionalisation is found to be reversible upon addition of a thiol-containing compound, glutathione, resulting in switchable surface properties including fluorescence and wettability, hence broadening the scope of applications.