Polymer Surface Functionalization Using Plasma, Ultraviolet and Synchrotron Radiation

Abstract

Polyurethane (PU) and polystyrene (PS) films were functionalized by ultraviolet (UV) or selective synchrotron radiations (SR) in the presence of reactive gases. The UV-PU results were compared with lowpressure plasma treatments of the same films. Oxygen or acrylic acid vapours (AA) were used as reactive gases. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements of UV modified films in the presence of oxygen or AA matched the RF-plasma treatments results. It is shown that COO and C=O functional groups were incorporated at the polymer surface efficiently with both methodologies. In addition, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure showed that a thin film of poly(acrylic acid) is formed over the PU and PS films during the UV irradiation in the presence of AA vapours. These results resemble previous AA low-power plasma treatments. PU and PS films were also selectively functionalized by SR using oxygen as reactive gas. Surface concentrations of COO and C=O functional groups were enhanced by C 1s → σ * C−C excitation after irradiation and oxygen introduction. This efficient surface functionalization was clearly observed in PS films which do not have CO and COO groups in their molecular structure. Excitations involving transitions to π * orbital (π * C=C , π * C=O ) led to much lower functionalization efficiency. The SR results can be explained by taking into account previous photon stimulated ion desorption studies of polymers. SR results may open new ways to functionalize polymer surfaces selectively and efficiently.

Surface functionalization of recyclable polymer for application as a flexible fluorescent sensor

“…Initially, PET films were exposed to UV radiation in the presence of acrylic acid to make their surface more reactive due to the possibility of photopolymerization with the formation of an acrylic polyacid film on the original polymer [22]. According to the previous studies, this surface functionalization with acrylic acid in the presence of UV radiation is also described for other polymers [14,20,22,62,63]. After functionalized with acrylic acid, [4-(2-hydroxy naphthyl)diazenyl] benzoic acid was grafted onto the surface of these PET films, which occurred directly and in the presence of UV radiation.…”

“…Depending on the new characteristics, there are several possibilities of surface functionalization. The use plasma [14], corona [15][16][17], UV radiation [18][19][20][21][22] and chemical grafting [23,24] are some examples.…”

Polymer Photodegradation Followed by Infrared: A Tutorial

“…A degradação fotoquímica de materiais poliméricos é uma questão recorrente no desenvolvimento de materiais que serão expostos a intempéries, tanto para produtos que ficarão expostos durante a sua vida útil, como: cintos de segurança 9 , materiais de construção civil, 10 capacetes, 11 para choques, 5 e tintas de ambientes externos. 12,13 Também há preocupação com produtos que ficarão expostos ao meio ambiente após a sua vida útil, como as sacolas plásticas oxodegradáveis. 14,15 O estudo da fotodegradação de materiais poliméricos tem encontrado aplicação até em áreas insuspeitas, como a restauração e preservação de arte clássica e moderna.…”

The effect of the incorporation of polystyrene‐based chain extenders on the properties of the shape memory polyurethanes

“…Polyurethanes (PUs) belong to a polymer group that has received significant attention due to its high biocompatibility and applicability in several areas such as coatings, sealants, adhesives, elastomers, foams, and biomaterials . PU consists of segmented chains that form different thermodynamically incompatible phases based on hard domains constructed from urethane segments and soft domains derived from polyol segments .…”