Micro and nano surface modification of polymer membranes using aromatic thiol compounds and fluoride aromatic thiol compounds

KARINA L. BIERBRAUER, HELMUT REINECKE, AND CARMEN MIJANGOS

Cursos e Congresos da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela : Universidade, Servizo de Publicacións e Intercambio Científico

Lugar: Santiago de Compostela; Año: 2007 p. 43 - 46

In polymer applications, there are areas where aspects like biocompatibility, adhesion of barrier properties are of extremely importance. In that case it is desired to change the surface properties without altering the rest. That can be achieved by the controlled surface chemical modification of a polymer film or membrane. In particular, the outstanding properties of fluoropolymers have stimulated their application in several fields because of their excellent chemical, thermal, and photochemical stability. In this sense, fluoride compounds can be used as modifier in order to introduce these kind of properties to this different commodity polymer. For example, in situ fluorination processes for polymers such as polyethylene have been found to be effective for reducing permeation of small molecules such as oxygen and water. This is an important fact in packaging applications. PVC is known as a highly versatile polymer with an excellent balance of properties and numerous applications in medical sector, packaging, etc. Moreover, the application of polymer analogue reactions on PVC has been shown to open even more fields for useful applications for this polymer. During the last few years, our group has been devoted to PVC modification in bulk and at the surface via nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms using solvents and nonsolvents for the polymer in order to improve the properties of the original material. In this sense, fluoride compounds can be used as modifier in order to introduce these kind of properties to this different commodity polymer. For example, in situ fluorination processes for polymers such as polyethylene have been found to be effective for reducing permeation of small molecules such as oxygen and water. This is an important fact in packaging applications. PVC is known as a highly versatile polymer with an excellent balance of properties and numerous applications in medical sector, packaging, etc. Moreover, the application of polymer analogue reactions on PVC has been shown to open even more fields for useful applications for this polymer. During the last few years, our group has been devoted to PVC modification in bulk and at the surface via nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms using solvents and nonsolvents for the polymer in order to improve the properties of the original material. In the present work the synthesis and characterization of PVC modified with new aromatic and fluoride aromatic thiol compounds carrying different substituents were performed selectively at the surface of a polymer film in order to increase the barrier properties.