Organic Chemistry at Chemically Resistant Polymer Surfaces: Modification of Surface Reactivity and Surface Properties

Abstract

This contribution will describe strategies for carrying out surface-selective modification reactions of fluoropolymers at the solution-polymer surface interface. The effects of solvent, temperature, and reagent structure on reactivity and surface selectivity will be discussed. The objective of these modification reactions is to introduce versatile organic functional groups to the surfaces of chemically resistant polymer surfaces; chemical transformations of the functional groups can then be carried out without affecting the structure of the inert 'support' film. Surface properties of these film samples can, thus, be correlated with surface-chemical structure. The chemical reactivity of the surface functional groups, particularly the OH group, will be discussed in some detail. The thermal stability and thermal reconstruction path of one modified surface will be described; the correlation of coefficient of friction with surface structure will be discussed. The synthesis of a surface that was designed to spontaneously adhere to metal oxides will also be presented.