University Research
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Academic department
School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
Description
Polyelectrolyte brushes (PEBs) are promising coatings for reducing ice adhesion and regulating water freezing at interfaces, yet direct measurements of nonfrozen water retention at subzero temperatures remain scarce. Here, we investigate the freezing behavior of water confined in poly([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium) (PMETA) brushes with chloride, iodide, and sulfate counterions using a custom-built low-temperature attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy system. Furthermore, we quantify the fraction of water that was present within the brush that does not freeze as well as the changes in polymer volume fraction within the brush as a function of temperature. Spectroscopic analysis of water vibrational modes reveals that PMETA brushes retain 25–35 vol. % water even at −60 °C, providing direct evidence of substantial water confinement in charged polymer networks. These findings advance the fundamental understanding of interfacial water behavior in PEBs and suggest molecular design strategies for engineering anti-icing and cryo-lubricating surface coatings.
Publisher name
ACS Publications
Grant Information
N/A
Data Management
N/A
Document Type
Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Link
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c06138
Publication Date
3-6-2026
Publication Title
Langmuir
Volume
42
Issue
11
First Page
7754
Last Page
7761
Recommended Citation
Dhinojwala, Ali; Jayaweera, Saveen; Kibria, Md Golam; and Mallinos, George, "Molecular Origins of Non-Frozen Water in Polyelectrolyte Brushes" (2026). University Research. 43.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/university_research/43
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.