Photoaddition of maleic anhydride to unsaturated polymers in homogeneous solution,solid polymer–solution,and solid polymer–vapor systems

Photoreactions of maleic anhydride (MAH) with unsaturated olefinic polymers such as 1,2-polybutadiene, 1,4-polybutadiene, block copolymer of styrene and butadiene, polystyrene, poly(styrene-co-isoprene), and poly(styrene-alt-methyl methacrylate) were investigated in air. When the polymers have olefinic unsaturation, the addition of MAH to the polymers in homogeneous solutions proceeded efficiently by a chain mechanism, and the quantum yield of the photoaddition of MAH was greater than unity under irradiation at λ > 310 nm. From the effects of solvent and photosensitizer, a radical chain mechanism involving crosslinking of the polymers by MAH molecules was suggested. Together with the spectroscopic results, the reaction mechanism was discussed. The photoaddition reaction was then applied to the surface photomodification of polymer films. Photoreactions were conducted at the interphase between solid polymer and acetone solution of MAH and also at the interphase between solid polymer and gaseous MAH. Irradiation by a 300-W high-pressure mercury lamp could bring about considerable modification of the surface properties of the polymers, which then show improved wettability and dyeability. From the oxygen permeation experiments, the present interfacial phototreatment was shown to provide a double-layered polymer film in which one side of the film is polar and hydrophilic while the other side is nonpolar and hydrophobic.