The grafting of thiol-terminated poly[(2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (HS-PDMEM) chains to a gold surface front a solution was investigated with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) in real time. The frequency and energy dissipation responses revealed a three-regime-kineties of the grafting. The chains are quickly grafted in regime I forming a random Mushroom. In regime II, the grafted chains have a rearrangement and form an ordered mushroom structure. The grafting is accelerated in regime III. As the grafting density increases. the chains form brushes. From regime II to III. the mushroorn-to-brush transition Occurs. The results were further supported by atomic force microscopy (AFM) iniagines. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.