Radical grafting from carbon fiber surface: graft polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by azo groups introduced onto the surface

This paper describes the radical graft polymerizations of vinyl monomers from carbon fiber surface initiated by azo groups introduced onto the fiber surface. The carbon fiber used in this experiment was the polyacrylonitrile type. The introduction of azo groups onto the carbon fiber surface was achieved by the reaction of 4,4'-azobis (4-cyanopentanoic acid) with isocyanate groups which were previously attached onto the surface by the treatment of the fiber with tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate. The amount of surface azo groups introduced onto nitric acid-treated carbon fiber was determined to be 0.60 x 10^-5 mol 9^-1 by nitrogen analysis. The radical graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was tried. Though the thermal polymerization of MMA proceeded slightly in the absence or in the presence of untreated carbon fiber, the rate of the polymerization was considerably low. In contrast, the graft polymerization of MMA was initiated in the presence of the carbon fiber having surface azo groups, and part of resultant poly(MMA) grafted onto the surface. The percentage of grafting increased with an increase in polymerization time and reached 42.8% after 24 h. The graft polymerizations of other monomers, such as styrene, vinyl acetate, and acrylic acid, were also initiated by the surface azo groups attached onto the carbon fiber, and the corresponding polymer effectively grafted onto the surface.     

Radical graft polymerization initiated by azo groups introduced onto the surface of carbon whisker

The radical graft polymerization of vinyl monomers onto carbon whisker, i.e. vapor grown carbon fiber, initiated by azo groups introduced onto the surface has been investigated. The introduction of azo groups onto the surface is achieved by (1) the reaction of 4,4'-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) with isocyanate groups on the surface, which are introduced by the treatment of surface carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups with tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate and (2) the reaction of 2,2'-azobis(2-cyano-n-propanol) with acyl chloride groups on the surface, which are introduced by the treatment of surface phenolic hydroxyl groups with terephthaloyl dichloride. The carbon whiskers having azo groups prepared from the above two methods are abbreviated as CW-Azo 1 and 2, respectively. The azo group content of CW-Azo 1 and 2 is determined to be 0.04 and 0.07 mmol/g, respectively. It is found that the radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene is initiated by the surface azo groups to give the corresponding polymer-grafted carbon whisker. The polymer-grafted carbon whisker gives a stable colloidal dispersion in good solvents for grafted polymer.     

Radical graft polymerization from carbon whisker initiated by peroxyester groups introduced onto the surface

The radical graft polymerization of vinyl monomers onto carbon whiskers, i.e. vapor grown carbon fibers, initiated by tert-butyl peroxyester groups that are introduced onto the surface was investigated. The introduction of tert-butyl peroxyester groups onto the carbon whisker surface was achieved by the reaction of acyl chloride groups on the surface with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The carbon whisker having acyl chloride groups was prepared by the following three methods: (1) reaction of surface carboxyl groups with thionyl chloride, (2) reaction of surface phenolic hydroxyl groups with succinyl dichloride, and (3) reaction of surface phenolic hydroxyl groups with phthaloyl dichloride. The carbon whiskers having tert-butyl peroxyester groups prepared from these three methods were abbreviated as CW-POE 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The peroxyester group content of CW-POE 1, 2, and 3 was determined to be 0.06, 0.05, and 0.17 mmol/g, respectively. It was found that the radical polymerization of vinyl monomers such as methyl methacrylate, styrene, and N-vinylcarbazole was successfully initiated in the presence of CW-POE 2 and 3, and the corresponding polymers were grafted onto the surface. However, CW-POE 1 failed to initiate the radical graft polymerization, because surface phenyl radicals formed by the thermal decomposition of the tert-butyl peroxyester groups are stabilized by the aromatic rings of the carbon whisker surface.     

Grafting of polymers onto graphene oxide by cationic and anionic polymerization initiated by the surface-initiating groups

The grafting of polymers onto graphene oxide (GO) was achieved by two process: (1) cationic polymerization initiated by carboxyl (COOH) groups on GO and (2) anionic alternating copolymerization of epoxides with cyclic acid anhydrides initiated by potassium carboxylate (COOK) groups on GO. The cationic polymerizations of isobutyl vinyl ether and N-vinylcarbazole were successfully initiated by COOH groups on GO to give the corresponding polymer-grafted GO. The cationic polymerization was considered to be initiated by proton addition from COOH groups to monomer and propagation of polymer cation proceeds with carboxylate anion as a counter ion. It was found that the corresponding polymer was successfully grafted onto GO based on the termination reaction of growing polymer cation and surface counter carboxylate anion. On the other hand, the anionic ring-opening alternating copolymerization of epoxide and cyclic acid anhydrides were also initiated by COOK groups on GO, which were previously introduced onto GO by the neutralization of COOH groups with KOH. During the anionic ring-opening copolymerization of styrene oxide (SO) with phthalic anhydride (PAn) and maleic anhydride (MAn), the corresponding polyesters, poly(SO-alt-PAn) and poly(SO-alt-MAn), were successfully grafted onto GO, based on the propagation of the polyesters from COOK groups. The grafting of polymers onto GO during the above cationic and anionic polymerizations was confirmed by thermal decomposition gas chromatogram/mass spectrum. The untreated GO in THF was immediately precipitated within 15 min. On the contrary, these polymer-grafted GOs gave stable dispersions in THF and no precipitation of polymer-grafted GOs was observed even after one week.     

A facile method for grafting of bisphenol A imprinted polymer shells onto poly(divinylbenzene) microspheres through precipitation polymerization

Core-shell structured polymers are usually prepared by “grafting to” or “grafting from” techniques, wherein polymer supports were first modified by vinyl bonds or initiators. Success can be immediate, but more often a learning curve needs to be traversed. In this paper, direct grafting bisphenol A imprinted polymer onto poly(divinylbenzene) microspheres through precipitation polymerization is introduced. The obtained microspheres were characterized by SEM, TEM, FTIR and BET. Firstly, mono-disperse poly(divinylbenzene) microspheres of 3 μm in size were prepared by precipitation polymerization. The solvent for grafting was then optimized and it was found that the mixtures of toluene and acetonitrile (30/70, v/v) were ideal choice from the image and structure analysis of the shells. Shells of different thickness (270-840 nm), depending on the concentrations of monomers in the precursor, were then directly grafted to the microspheres by a reactive, entropic capture mechanism. The recognition ability of the microspheres was evaluated by solid-phase extraction and clear selectivity showed toward bisphenol A. The leak of bisphenol A was not found after extraction and thus these core-shell structured imprinted polymers are believed to have potential applications in trace analysis area.     

Reactive surface treatment for calcium carbonate filler in polypropylene

Calcium carbonate has been modified with three surface modifying systems based upon stearic acid, acrylic acid and a reactive coating comprising acrylic acid with dicumyl peroxide through dry blending. Polypropylene homopolymer was compounded with the coated and uncoated fillers (0 to 65 wt%) through twin screw extrusion. Infrared and extraction investigations showed that the acrylic acid coatings reacted extensively with the filler surface to produce both tightly bound and loosely bound calcium acrylate. Direct evidence for transfer grafting between the calcium acrylate and the polypropylene in the reactive coating was obtained through selective dissolution of the matrix phase and filler with hot xylene and dilute hydrochloric acid, respectively. For coatings without peroxide, complete dissolution of the compound into the inorganic and organic phases was possible, whilst for those with peroxide, an insoluble fraction was obtained. Infrared analysis showed that this was a grafted structure comprising calcium carbonate and polymer. For the filler coating containing acrylic acid with peroxide it was found that the amount of bound polymer at the filler surface was higher for compounds with larger filler loadings indicating a commensurate increase in the extent of the reaction at the filler surface for compounds with higher filler loadings.     

Composite of synthetic mica with polymers: grafting of polymers with controlled molecular weight onto synthetic mica by use of living polymer cation

The grafting of polymers onto synthetic mica surface and formation of an interlayer by the termination of living polymer cation with amino groups introduced onto the synthetic mica was investigated. The introduction of amino groups onto the synthetic mica was achieved by the reaction of silanol groups with γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. It was found that living poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) (polyIBVE) and living poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (polyMeOZO) cations with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution were successfully terminated by amino groups of synthetic mica, and the corresponding polymers were grafted onto the surface and interlayer of the mica. The grafting of polyIBVE and polyMeOZO on the synthetic mica decreased with increasing molecular weight of the living polymer cations. The effect of reaction temperature on the grafting of polyMeOZO onto the synthetic mica was examined. The X-ray diffraction curves of polyMeOZO-grafted synthetic mica have a peak at 2 = 4.5° assigned 001 lattice spacing: the lattice spacing was expanded by the grafting of polyMeOZO in the interlayer of the synthetic mica.     

Chemically induced graft copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate onto polyurethane surface for improving blood compatibility

To improve hydrophilicity and blood compatibility properties of polyurethane (PU) film, we chemically induced graft copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) onto the surface of polyurethane film using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. The effects of grafting temperature, grafting time, monomer and initiator concentrations on the grafting yields were studied. The maximum grafting yield value was obtained 0.0275 g/cm² for HEMA. Characterization of the films was carried out by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), water contact angle measurements. ATR-FTIR data showed that HEMA was successfully grafted onto the PU films surface. Water contact angle measurement demonstrated the grafted films possessed a relatively hydrophilic surface. The blood compatibility of the grafted films was preliminarily evaluated by a platelet-rich plasma adhesion test and hemolysis test. The results of platelet adhesion experiment showed that polyurethane grafted polymerization with monomer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate had good blood compatibility featured by the low platelet adhesion. Hemolysis rate of the PU-g-PHEMA films was dramatically decreased than the ungrafted PU films. This kind of new biomaterials grafted with HEMA monomers might have a potential usage for biomedical applications.     

Effective surface modification by stimuli-responsive polymers onto the magnetite nanoparticles by layer-by-layer method

Effective surface modification of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based temperature-responsive polymers onto the magnetite nanoparticles was investigated. To achieve this purpose, layer-by-layer method was applied. This technique is based on sequential chemical reactions between the temperature-responsive polymers with carboxyl groups and other another polymers with amino groups. After the polyion complex formation, carbodiimide chemistry was used to cross-link both the functional polymers. As a result, we could confirm the successful preparation using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the dispersion measurement of the modified magnetite nanoparticles. The thickness was tunable be the number of the layer-by layer reaction. As expected, the magnetite nanoparticles show the very sensitive temperature-responsive behavior.     

Swelling assisted photografting of itaconic acid onto sodium alginate membranes

Grafting of itaconic acid (IA) was achieved onto sodium alginate (NaAlg) membranes by using UV-radiation. Process was performed under nitrogen atmosphere and benzophenone (BP) was used as a photoinitiator. Membranes were preswelled before the polymerization process and ethanol was determined as the best swelling agent among the studied solvents. The effect of polymerization time, initiator and monomer concentrations on the grafting efficiency were investigated. The best conditions for optimum grafting were obtained with IA concentration of 1.0 M, a BP concentration of 0.1 M and a reaction time of 4 h at 25 °C. Under these conditions grafting efficiency for NaAlg-g-IA membranes was found to be 14% (w/w). To obtain further increase in grafting efficiency membranes were also preswelled in IA and BP solutions and polymerization was carried out at different temperatures after UV polymerization. Grafted membranes were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Effect of grafting on membrane properties such as intrinsic viscosity and swelling percentage were also determined.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Methylacrylic Acid and Butyl Acrylate Grafted onto Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Terpolymer

A multi-component polymer of methacrylic acid (MAA) and butyl acrylate (BA) grafted onto ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymer was synthesized in toluene using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator. The effect of EPDM/MAA-BA ratio and MAA/BA ratio on the grafting ratio of polymerization was investigated. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), surface energy, inherent viscosity, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results showed that the MAA and BA monomers were successfully grafted onto EPDM. Furthermore, after being grafted, the polarity of the surface of the EPDM-g-MAA-BA increased with increasing grafting ratio, and the morphology of its surface became more smooth.     

Studies on surface modification of UHMWPE fibers via UV initiated grafting

In this research, the surface of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber was modified by high energy ultraviolet (UV) initiated grafting reactions and acrylamide groups were grafted onto UHMWPE chains. The initiating and grafting mechanism of the reactions was studied. Some important factors influencing the grafting effect, e.g. crystallinity of UHMWPE fiber, concentration of the initiating reagent, grafting time and the concentration of grafting monomer (acrylamide) were discussed. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was used to manifest the mechanism of the grafting reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to show the morphology changing of the fiber surface. Single fiber pull-out strength and ILSS tests of the composite showed that acrylamide grafted onto the surface of the fiber could improve the interfacial adhesion between treated fibers and matrices.     

Photoactivated surface grafting from PVDF surfaces

Economic and easy methods to tune surface properties of polymers as Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) without altering bulk properties are of major interest for different applications as biotechnological devices, medical implant device… UV irradiation appears as one of the simplest, easy and safe method to modify surface properties. In the case of self-initiated grafting, it is generally assumed that the pre-treatment of the PVDF surface with UV irradiation can yield alkyl and per-oxy radicals originating from breaking bonds and capable of initiating the subsequent surface grafting polymerizations. Surprisingly, the present work shows that it is possible to obtain polymer grafting using low energetic UV-A irradiation (3.1-3.9 eV) without breaking PVDF bonds. An EPR study has been performed in order to investigate the nature of involved species. The ability of the activated PVDF surface to graft different kinds of hydrophilic monomers using the initiated surface polymerization method has been tested and discussed on the basis of ATR FT-IR, XPS and NMR HRMAS results.     

Plasma-based introduction of monosort functional groups of different type and density onto polymer surfaces. Part 1: Behaviour of polymers exposed to oxygen plasma

Several approaches were investigated to produce monosort functionalized polymer surfaces with a high density and homogeneity of functional groups: (i) Plasma oxidation followed by wet-chemical reduction, (ii) formation of radicals and grafting on of functional group carrying molecules, (iii) plasma bromination followed by (iv) Williamson or Gabriel-like synthesis of spacer molecules, and (v) a pulsed plasma polymerization of functional groups bearing monomers or (vi) their copolymerisation with other comonomers. The formation of hydroxyl (OH), primary amino (NH₂), and carboxyl (COOH) groups was studied in detail. The oxygen plasma treatment (i) in a low-pressure non-isothermal glow discharge results in the formation of a wide variety of O functional groups, polymer degradation and crosslinking. Low power densities and short exposure times (0.1 to 2 s) are required to functionalize a surface while preserving the original polymer structure. Carbonate, ester, and aromatic groups are rapidly degraded by an oxygen plasma treatment leading to scissions of polymer backbones and loss in molecular weight. Also the formation of macrocycles and C=C bonds was observed in a region of around 4 nm in depth. The investigated polymers could be classified by their degradation behaviour on exposure to the oxygen plasma. In order to maximize the process selectivity for OH groups, the variety of oxygen functionalities formed by the oxygen plasma was wet-chemically reduced by diborane, vitride? (Na complex), and LiAlH₄. Typical yields were 9 to 14 OH groups per 100 carbon atoms. Plasma bromination (iii) (40 Br per 100 C atoms) of polymers, followed by grafting of spacer molecules (iv), has been proved to be a highly selective reaction. Another way to produce high densities of monosort functionalities was the pulsed plasma polymerization of functional group bearing monomers such as allylamine, allylalcohol or acrylic acid (v). The retention of chemical structure and functional groups during plasma polymerization was achieved by using low power densities and the pulsed plasma technique. The maximum yields were 30 OH, 18 NH₂, and 24 COOH groups per 100 C atoms. To vary the density of functional groups a chemical copolymerization with 'chain-extending' comonomers such as butadiene and ethylene was initiated in the pulsed plasma (vi). Additionally, the often-observed post-plasma oxidations of such layers initiated by reaction of trapped radicals with oxygen from the air were successfully suppressed by using NO gas as radical quencher.     

Growth of hydrogel nano- and microlayers covalently bounded onto PE surface

Surface modifying strategies were developed to immobilize PAA cross-linked layers (hydrogel layers) with different thicknesses by chemical binding to the surface of polyethylene (PE). Polyethylene films were functionalized by two methods, chromic acid oxidation and maleic anhydride grafting. The reaction of the functional groups placed onto the film surface with ethylenediamine promoted the formation of an amine-functionalized surface. The thickness of the hydrogel layer was correlated with the presence and the release of impregnated ethylenediamine during the immobilization of the PAA chains by thermal esterification. Ethylenediamine acts as a cross-linking agent between different PAA chains. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the chemical composition and the morphologies of the modified film surface.     

Pre-irradiation-induced graft reaction of maleic anhydride onto polypropylene

The radiation induced graft polymerization is a well-known method to obtain new materials. Until recently, only conventional radiation sources, such as Co-60 and electron beams, were used. Moreover, part of the damage induced in polymers by heavy ions can produce active sites (peroxides and hydroperoxides) that are useful to initiate grafting reactions. Maleic anhydride (MAH) was grafted onto polypropylene (PP) wax with a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of 8000 by gamma pre-irradiation technique. Effects of total dose, monomer concentration, reaction time, and temperature on percentage of grafting are studied in detail. It is shown that the optimum conditions for grafting are temperature of 70 ^°C and total dose of 14.4 kGy. PP-g-MAH is characterized by infrared spectrum. Differential scanning calorimetry shows that the compatibility of PP-g-MAH is better than that of PP.     

Corona-induced graft polymerization for surface modification of porous polyethersulfone membranes

Graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto porous polyethersulfone (PES) membrane surfaces was developed using corona discharge in atmospheric ambience as an activation process followed by polymerization of AA in aqueous solution. The effects of the corona parameters and graft polymerization conditions on grafting yield (GY) of AA were investigated. The grafting of AA on the PES membranes was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Porosimetry measurements indicate the average pore diameters and porosities of the modified membranes decrease with the increase of the GY. The hydrophilicity and surface wetting properties of the original and modified membranes were evaluated by observing the dynamic changes of water contact angles. It is found that the grafting of AA occurs not only on the membrane surfaces, but also on the pore walls of the cells inside the membrane. The permeability experiments of protein solution reveal that the grafting of PAA endows the modified membranes with enhanced fluxes and anti-fouling properties. The optimized GY of AA is in the range of 150-200 μg/cm². In addition, the tensile experiments show the corona discharge treatment with the power lower than 150 W yields little damage to the mechanical strength of the membranes.     

Study of carboxylic functionalization of polypropylene surface using the underwater plasma technique

Non-equilibrium solution plasma treatment of polymer surfaces in water offers the possibility of more dense and selective polymer surface functionalization in comparison to the well-known and frequently used low-pressure oxygen plasma. Functional groups are introduced when the polymer surface contacts the plasma moderated solution especially water solutions. The emission of ions, electrons, energy-rich neutrals and complexes, produced by the ion avalanche are limited by quenching, with the aid of the ambient water phase. The UV-radiation produced in plasma formation also helps to moderate the reaction solution further by producing additional excited, ionized/dissociated molecules. Thus, monotype functional groups equipped polymer surfaces, preferably OH groups, originating from the dissociated water molecules, could be produced more selectively. An interesting feature of the technique is its flexibility to use a wide variety of additives in the water phase. Another way to modify polymer surfaces is the deposition of plasma polymers carrying functional groups as carboxylic groups used in this work. Acetic acid, acrylic acid, maleic and itaconic acid were used as additive monomers. Acetic acid is not a chemically polymerizing monomer but it could polymerize by monomer/molecular fragmentation and recombination to a cross linked layer. The other monomers form preferably water-soluble polymers on a chemical way. Only the fragmented fraction of these monomers could form an insoluble coating by cross linking to substrate. The XPS analysis was used to track the alterations in –O-CO- bond percentage on the PP surface. To identify the -COOH groups on substrate surface unambiguously, which have survived the plasma polymerization process, the derivatization with trifluoroethanol was performed.     

Zwitterionic monomer graft copolymerization onto polyurethane surface through a PEG spacer

A new zwitterionic surface was obtained by a novel three-step grafting procedure. The zwitterionic monomer was introduced by cerium-induced graft copolymerization in the presence of N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide (MBAA) as cross-linking agent. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the MBAA could stimulate zwitterionic monomer grafting onto the membrane surface. Surface properties were also determined by atomic force microscope (AFM) and water contact angle. The hemocompatibility of the modified PU membranes was evaluated by the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and prothrombin time (PT). The TT and APTT of PU were significantly prolonged by the zwitterion of sulfobetaine monomer grafting copolymerization. The new polyurethane membrane could have a great potential in biomedical applications.     

Surface modification of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers via the sequential photoinduced graft polymerization

In this study, a sequential photoinduced graft polymerization process was proposed to improve the poor interfacial bonding property of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers. The polymerization was initiated by dormant semipinacol (SP) groups and carried out in a thin liquid layer. Methacrylic acid (MAA) and acryl amide (AM) were grafted stepwise onto the surface of UHMWPE fibers. Attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the grafting. The analysis result of pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) indicated the structure of grafted chains. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images revealed the apparent morphology changing, and the grafted layers were observed. Interfacial shear stress (IFSS) test of the modified fibers showed an extensively improved interfacial bonding property. The active groups grafted onto the fibers would supply enough anchor points for the chemical bonding with various resins or further reactions.