Phynox is of high interest for technological applications due to its high corrosion resistance, mechanical properties and biocompatibility. In combination with these remarkable characteristics, some Phynox applications require specific surface properties that can be imparted with suitable surface functionalizations of the oxide layer. The present work aims at studying the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl 2-(trimethylammonio) ethyl phosphate (MPC) on Phynox substrates, using grafted 11-(2-bromoisobutyrate)-undecyl-1-phosphonic acid as initiator. The ability of the initiator to bind Phynox substrates and act as an initiator for ATRP of MPC is investigated. It appears that ATRP polymerization of MPC on modified Phynox substrates already takes place in aqueous media at room temperature, but the yield at 90 degrees C is superior. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.