No abstract

The localization of reactive compatibilizers at the interfaces in polymer blends of PLLA (poly(L-lactic acid)) and PVDF (poly(vinylidene fluoride)) was investigated by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) functionalized with epoxide groups and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) chains was applied as compatibilizer in the immiscible PLLA/PVDF (50/ 50 wt %) blend. The blends were successfully compatibilized by adding the functionalized POSS through the chemical reaction of epoxide group with PLLA and the dissolution of PMMA into PVDF phase. The localization behaviors of the POSS compatibilizers at the PLLA/PVDF interfaces, which were influenced by melt-blend conditions, were characterized by EDX elemental analysis. We also investigated the local chemical structures in the interfacial regions by energy-loss near edged fine structure in EELS. We proposed the mechanism of the reactive compatibilization of immiscible polymer blends by the STEM-EDX/EELS analysis of the PLLA/PVDF interfaces compatibilized with the POSS derivatives.

The modification of surface properties of isotactic polypropylene (it.PP) has attracted much attention in fundamental science and industrial applications. Primer treatment is a promising methods that is employed to overcome the poor adhesive property of it.PP. In this study, we examined the primer effect of the cobalt complexes, cobalt (II) acetylacetonate Co(acac)2 and cobalt (III) acetylacetonate Co(acac)3, from the perspectives of adhesive strength, curing process, surface structure, affinity between substrate and adhesive, morphology and interfacial thickness.The results obtained explain the increased adhesive strength between an isotactic polypropylene substrate and a cyanoacrylate adhesive. In particular, the interfacial regions were evaluated as "interphase" by nano-Raman scattering microscopy and transmission electron microscope-energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The region is expanded by applying Co(acac)2 primer as the adhesive strength increased. The Co(acac)2 primer caused the increased adhesive property with the enhancement of molecular interaction, chemical affinity, and mutual diffusion.

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Electroless plating (ELP) process using Pt and Pd colloid catalyst has been developed. Au, Pt and Cu metalˆlms with su‹cient adhesion were successfully obtained without special treatment of substrate surfaces. Owing to the excellent catalytic property of the Pt nanoparticles, continuous gold thinˆlms can be produced at room temperature using a simple cyanide-free gold electroless plating solution composed of chloroauric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Pd colloidal catalyst has been also developed for a novel Pt ELP process and for commercial Cu ELP process. The process requires no surface modiˆcations for the immobilization of the catalyst, and by simple post-annealing the adhesion of the platedˆlms to various polymerˆlms can be improved dramatically. We have thus developed an environment-friendly etchingless ELP process without the use of toxic and hazardous substances.