Surface grafting of polymer onto carbon thin film

The surface grafting of polymers onto carbon thin film deposited on a glass plate was achieved by two methods: the graft polymerization initiated by initiating groups introduced onto the surface; and the trapping of polymer radicals by surface aromatic rings of the thin film. It was found that the radical and cationic graft polymerization of vinyl monomers are initiated by azo and acylium perchlorate groups introduced onto the surface, respectively, and the corresponding polymers are grafted onto the surface: the surface grafting of polymers were confirmed by the contact angle of the surface with water. In addition, the anionic ring-opening alternating copolymerization of epoxides with cyclic acid anhydrides was found to be initiated by potassium carboxylate groups on the carbon thin film to give the corresponding polyester-grafted carbon thin film. On the other hand, polymer radicals formed by the decomposition of azo polymer, such as poly(polydimethylsiloxane-azobiscyanopentanoate) and poly(polyoxyethylene-azobiscyanopentanoate), were successfully trapped by the surface aromatic rings of carbon thin film and polydimethylsiloxane and polyoxyethylene were grafted onto the surface. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Grafting of branched polymers onto nano-sized silica surface: Postgrafting of polymers with pendant isocyanate groups of polymer chain grafted onto nano-sized silica surface

To control the surface wettability of nano-sized silica surface, the postgrafting of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers to grafted polymer chains on the surface was investigated. Polymers having blocked isocyanate groups were successfully grafted onto nano-sized silica surface by the graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with 2-(O-[1′-methylpropylideneamino]caboxyamino)ethyl methacrylate (MOIB) initiated by azo groups previously introduced onto the surface. The blocked isocyanate groups of poly(MMA-co-MOIB)-grafted silica were stable in a desiccator, but isocyanate groups were readily regenerated by heating at 150 °C. The hydrophilic polymers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), were postgrafted onto the poly(MMA-co-MOIB)-grafted silica by the reaction of functional groups of PEG and PEI with pendant isocyanate groups of poly(MMA-co-MOI)-grafted silica to give branched polymer-grafted silica. The percentage of grafting increased with increasing molecular weight of PEG, but the number of postgrafted chain decreased, because of steric hindrance. The hydrophobic polymers, such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) were also postgrafted onto poly(MMA-co-MOI)-grafted silica. It was found that the grafting of hydrophobic polymer and the postgrafting of hydrophilic polymer branches readily controls the wettability of silica surface to water.     

Graft polymerization of vinyl monomers from initiating groups introduced onto polymethylsiloxane-coated titanium dioxide modified with alcoholic hydroxyl groups

The grafting of vinyl polymers onto the surface of polymethylsiloxane-coated titanium dioxide modified with alcoholic hydroxyl groups (Ti/Si–R–OH) were investigated. The introduction of azo and trichloroacetyl groups onto the surface of Ti/Si–R–OH was achieved by the reaction of the surface alcoholic hydroxyl groups with 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) and trichloroacetyl isocyanate, respectively. The radical polymerizations of vinyl monomers were successfully initiated by the azo groups introduced onto the surface and by the system consisting of Mo(CO)₆ and Ti/Si–R–COCCl₃. During the polymerization, the corresponding polymers were effectively grafted onto the titanium dioxide surface through propagation from surface radicals formed by the decomposition of azo groups and by the reaction of Mo(CO)₆ with trichloroacetyl groups on the surface. The percentage of grafting and grafting efficiency in the graft polymerization initiated by the system consisting of Ti/Si–R–COCCl₃ and Mo(CO)₆ were much larger than those initiated by azo groups. The polymer-grafted titanium dioxide was found to produce a stable colloidal dispersion in good solvents for the grafted polymer. The dispersibility of poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide)-grafted titanium dioxide in water was controlled by temperature. In addition, the wettability of the surface of titanium dioxide to water was readily controlled by grafting of hydrophilic or hydrophobic polymers.     

Surface grafting of polymers onto glass plate: Polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by initiating groups introduced onto the surface

The surface grafting of polymers onto a glass plate surface was achieved by the polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by initiating groups introduced onto the surface. Azo groups were introduced onto the glass plate surface by the reaction of 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) with isocyanate groups, which were introduced by the treatment with tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate. The radical polymerization of various vinyl monomers was initiated by azo groups introduced onto the glass plate surface and the corresponding polymers were grafted from the surface: The surface grafting of polymers was confirmed by IR spectra, and the contact angle of surface, with water. The contact angle of the glass plate increased by the grafting of hydrophobic polymers, but decreased by the grafting of hydrophilic polymers. The radical postpolymerization was successfully initiated by the pendant peroxycarbonate groups of grafted polymer on the surface to give branched polymer-grafted glass plate. The cationic polymerization of vinyl monomers was also successfully initiated by benzylium perchlorate groups introduced onto the glass plate surface and the corresponding polymers were grafted onto the surface. The contact angle of the glass plate surface obtained from the cationic polymerization of styrene was larger than that obtained from the radical polymerization. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65: 2165–2172, 1997     

Grafting of vinyl polymers onto VGCF surface and the electric properties of the polymer-grafted VGCF

The graft polymerization of vinyl monomers onto vapor grown carbon fibers (VGCF) initiated by the system consisting of molybdenum hexacarbonyl (Mo(CO)₆) and trichloroacetyl (COCCl₃) groups introduced onto the surface was investigated. The introduction of trichloroacetyl groups onto VGCF surface was successfully achieved by the reaction of carboxyl groups on VGCF surface with trichloroacetyl isocyanate. It was found that the radical graft polymerization of vinyl monomers, such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene, and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) is successfully initiated by the system consisting of Mo(CO)₆ and COCCl₃ groups introduced onto the surfaces. In the polymerization, the corresponding vinyl polymers were effectively grafted onto the VGCF surface, based on the propagation of polymer from surface radicals formed by the interaction of trichloroacetyl groups and Mo(CO)₆: the percentage of PMMA grafting reached 40%. Polymer-grafted VGCF gave a stable colloidal dispersion in good solvents for grafted polymer. The electric resistance of composite prepared from the polymer-grafted VGCF suddenly increased in organic solvent vapor over 10³ times, and returned to initial resistance when it was transferred into dry air. These results indicate that such composites can be used as novel gas sensors.     

Photochemical reactions of high polymers. XIII. Photografting of methyl methacrylate onto the polymers bearing thiosulfate groups

Polymers bearing pendent thiosulfate groups, that is, sodium poly(vinyl benzyl thiosulfate) (PVBB) and the sodium salt of poly(vinyl hydrothiosulfatoacetate)(PV AcB), were prepared. The photograft polymerization of methyl methacrylate onto these polymers was carried out. The relationships between irradiation time and conversion, degree of grafting, and grafting efficiency were investigated in the photograft polymerization. It was ascertained that the pendent thiosulfate groups acted as effective initiators for the graft polymerization. From the number of endgroups in the homopolymer formed along with the graft polymer, the mechanism of the graft polymerization was discussed and it was verified that the graft polymerization was initiated by the thiyl radical formed by scission of the sulfur–sulfur bond of the pendent thiosulfate group. An unusually high degree of grafting and extremely rapid polymerization rate observed in the graft polymerization suggested the dual functions of thiosulfate-bearing polymer as initiator and emulsifier. It was found that addition of FeCl₂ to this polymerization system increased the rate of polymerization and the degree of grafting but decreased the grafting efficiency. The effect of FeCl₂ was interpreted by assumption of a photo-redox reaction between thiosulfate group and Fe²⁺.     

Graft polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by peroxycarbonate groups introduced onto silica surface by Michael addition

The introduction of peroxycarbonate groups onto a silica surface and the graft polymerization of vinyl monomers initiated by peroxycarbonate groups introduced onto a silica surface were investigated. The introduction of peroxycarbonate groups onto a silica surface was achieved by Michael addition of amino groups introduced onto the silica surface to t‐butylperoxy‐2‐methacryloyloxyethylcarbonate (HEPO). The amount of peroxycarbonate groups was determined to be 0.17 mmol/g. The graft polymerization of various vinyl monomers such as styrene (St), N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NVPD), and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was initiated by peroxycarbonate groups introduced onto the silica surface to give the corresponding polymer‐grafted silicas. The percentage of poly(St)‐grafting reached about 120% after 5 h. This means that 1.20 g of poly(St) is grafted onto 1.0 g of silica. The surface of poly(St)‐grafted silica shows a hydrophobic nature, but the surfaces of poly(NVPD) and poly(HEMA)‐grafted silica show a hydrophilic nature. Furthermore, the poly(St)‐grafted silica was found to give a stable colloidal dispersion in a good solvent for the grafted polymer. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1491–1497, 1999     

Preparation of amphiphilic carbon black by postgrafting of polyethyleneimine to grafted polymer chains on the surface

Summary To prepare amphiphilic carbon black, we investigated the postgrafting reaction of polyethyleneimine (PEI) with pendant glycidyl groups of grafted polymer on carbon black surface. The grafting of polymers having pendant glycidyl groups onto carbon black surface was achieved by the copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by azo groups introduced onto the surface. Pendant glycidyl groups of poly(GMA-co-MMA)-grafted carbon black was found to react with PEI, and the corresponding polymers postgrafted to the grafted copolymer chains on carbon black surface: the percentage of PEI-postgrafting was readily controlled by the reaction conditions. PEI-postgrafted to poly(GMA-co-MMA)-grafted carbon black, whose PEI postgrafting is 3.9% showed amphiphilic nature and acted as an emulsifier. Received: 13 April 1998/Revised version: 20 May 1998/Accepted: 22 May 1998     

Surface grafting of polymers onto ultrafine silica: cationic polymerization initiated by benzylium perchlorate groups introduced onto ultrafine silica surface

Summary The cationic graft polymerization initiated by benzylium perchlorate groups introduced onto ultrafine silica surface was investigated. The introduction of benzylium perchlorate groups onto the surface was achieved by the reaction of silver perchlorate with surface benzyl chloride groups, which were introduced by the treatment of silica with 4-(chloromethyl)phenyltrimethoxysilane. The cationic graft polymerization of styrene and cationic ring-opening polymerization of -caprolactone were found to be initiated by the surface benzylium perchlorate groups and the corresponding polymers were grafted onto the surface. The percentage of grafting onto silica surface decreased with increasing polymerization temperature, because chain transfer reaction of growing polymer cation is accelerated with increasing polymerization temperature.     

Surface graft copolymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) onto waste tire rubber powder through ozonization

Grinding of tires offers a promising opportunity for recycling waste rubber because fine waste tire rubber particle may be used as fillers and property modifiers in thermoplastic, elastomer, and thermoset blends. However, due to the lack of reactive sites on the WTR surface, the adhesion between WTR powder and matrix is poor. In this article, ozonization of waste tire rubber (WTR) powder was performed to produce some “immobile” reactive points (hydroperoxide groups) on the WTR surface. The free radical generated by the decomposition of hydroperoxide groups on WTR surface, was used to initiate graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto the surface of WTR powder. The experimental results showed that MMA was successfully grafted onto the surface of WTR. The hydrophilicity of the MMA grafted WTR (MMA‐g‐WTR) was improved. The concentration of hydroperoxide groups and the graft degree were both increased with ozonization time. With increasing of polymerization time and polymerization temperature, the grafting degree increased. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Postgrafting of vinyl polymers onto hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)-grafted nano-sized silica surface

To prepare polymer-grafted nano-sized silica with hydrophilic core and hydrophobic shell and with higher percentage of grafting, the postgraft polymerization of vinyl polymers onto hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)-grafted (PAMAM-grafted) nano-sized silica initiated by the system consisting of Mo(CO)₆ and terminal trichloroacetyl groups of PAMAM-grafted silica was investigated. The introduction of trichloroacetyl groups onto PAMAM-grafted silica surfaces was readily achieved by the reaction of trichloroacetyl isocyanate with terminal amino groups of PAMAM-grafted silica. It was found that the polymerization of vinyl monomers, such as methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene, and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was successfully initiated by the system consisting of Mo(CO)₆ and terminal trichloroacetyl groups of PAMAM-grafted silica. In the polymerization, the corresponding vinyl polymers were effectively postgrafted onto PAMAM-grafted silica, based on the propagation of polymer from surface radicals formed by the reaction of terminal trichloroacetyl groups with Mo(CO)₆: the percentage of PMMA postgrafting onto PAMAM-grafted silica reached to 400% after 30 min, but the formation of gel was observed after 35 min. The formation of gel tends to decrease by use of hyperbranched PAMAM-grafted silica with higher percentage of grafting. The vinyl polymer-postgrafted nano-sized silica gave a stable colloidal dispersion in various organic solvents.     

Modification of cellulose powder surface by grafting of polymers with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution

To modify cellulose powder surface, the grafting of polymers with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution onto the surface by the termination of living polymer cation with amino groups introduced onto cellulose powder surface was investigated. The introduction of amino groups onto cellulose powder surface was achieved by the treatment of cellulose powder with isatoic anhydride. It was found that cellulose powder having amino groups are readily reacted with living poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (polyMeOZO) cation, which was generated by ring‐ opening polymerization with methyl p‐toluenesulfonate as an initiator, and polyMeOZO with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution was grafted onto the surface. By the termination of living poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) (polyIBVE), which was generated by the polymerization with HCl/ZnCl₂ initiating system, with amino groups on cellulose powder, polyIBVE was also grafted onto the surface. The mole number of grafted polymer chain on cellulose powder surfaces decreased with increasing molecular weight of the living polymer cation, because of increasing steric hindrance with increasing molecular weight of living polymer cation. Wettability of cellulose powder surface to water was found to be controlled by grafting of hydrophilic or hydrophobic polymer onto the surface. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 515–522, 2000     

Cationic Graft Polymerization onto Silica Nanoparticle Surface in a Solvent-Free Dry-System

For the purpose of the prevention of the environmental pollution and the simplification of reaction process, the scale-up synthesis of polymer-grafted silica nanoparticle by surface initiated cationic ring-opening graft polymerization of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline (MeOZO) in a solvent-free dry-system was investigated. The introduction of iodopropyl groups onto the silica surface as initiating group was carried out by the reaction of silanol groups with 3-iodopropyl- trimethoxysilane in a solvent-free dry-system. The graft polymerization of MeOZO onto silica nanoparticle surface in a solvent-free dry-system was initiated by spraying the monomer onto the surface having iodopropyl groups and the polymerization was conducted in powder fluid system under nitrogen. After the polymerization, unreacted MeOZO was readily removed under high vacuum. It was found that the cationic ring-opening polymerization of MeOZO was successfully initiated in the solvent-free dry-system to give polyMeOZO-grafted silica nanoparticles. The maximum grafting of polyMeOZO obtained from the polymerization initiated by iodopropyl groups on the surface reached 47.7 %. The percentage of grafting and grafting efficiency during the cationic ring-opening graft polymerization in the solvent-free dry-system were considerably larger than those in solution system. This suggests that chain transfer reaction from surface growing cation to monomer was effectively inhibited in the solvent-free dry-system.     

Controlled atom transfer radical polymerization of MMA onto the surface of high-density functionalized graphene oxide

We report on the grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) onto the surface of high-density functionalized graphene oxides (GO) through controlled radical polymerization (CRP). To increase the density of surface grafting, GO was first diazotized (DGO), followed by esterification with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide, which resulted in an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator-functionalized DGO-Br. The functionalized DGO-Br was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman, and XRD patterns. PMMA chains were then grafted onto the DGO-Br surface through a ‘grafting from’ technique using ATRP. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) results revealed that polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) follows CRP. Thermal studies show that the resulting graphene-PMMA nanocomposites have higher thermal stability and glass transition temperatures (T_g) than those of pristine PMMA.     

Preirradiation‐induced emulsion graft polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate onto poly(vinylidene fluoride) powder

An epoxy‐group‐containing monomer, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), was grafted onto poly(vinylidene fluoride) powder via preirradiation‐induced emulsion graft polymerization. The existence of graft chains was proven by chemical structure characterization with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The degree of grafting was calculated by means of fluorine content analysis. A kinetic study indicated that, with the emulsion graft polymerization system, the GMA conversion rate was high, exceeding 80%. The variation in the molecular weight of the grafted polymer was measured by gel permeation chromatography, and its crystallinity was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry. The epoxy groups in graft chains were found to be suitable for further chemical modification. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Graft polymerization of vinyl acetate onto starch. Saponification to starch–g–poly(vinyl alcohol)

Graft polymerizations of vinyl acetate onto granular corn starch were initiated by cobalt-60 irradiation of starch-monomer-water mixtures, and ungrafted poly(vinylacetate) was separated from the graft copolymer by benzene extraction. Conversions of monomer to polymer were quantitative at a radiation dose of 1.0 Mrad. However, over half of the polymer was present as ungrafted poly-(vinyl acetate) (grafting efficiency less than 50%), and the graft copolymer contained only 34% grafted synthetic polymer (34% add-on). Lower irradiation doses produced lower conversions of monomer to polymer and gave graft copolymers with lower % add-on. Addition of minor amounts of acrylamide, methyl acrylate, and methacrylic acid as comonomers produced only small increases in % add-on and grafting efficiency. However, grafting efficiency was increased to 70% when a monomer mixture containing about 10% methyl methacrylate was used. Grafting efficiency could be increased to over 90% if the graft polymerization of vinyl acetate-methyl methacrylate was carried out near 0°C, although conversion of monomers to polymer was low and grafted polymer contained 40-50% poly(methyl methacrylate). Selected graft copolymers were treated with methanolic sodium hydroxide to convert starch–g–poly(vinyl acetate) to starch–g–poly(vinyl alcohol). The molecular weight of the poly(vinyl alcohol) moiety was about 30,000. The solubility of starch–g–poly(vinyl alcohol) in hot water was less than 50%; however, solubility could be increased by substituting either acid-modified or hypochlorite-oxidized starch for unmodified starch in the graft polymerization reaction. Vinyl acetate was also graft polymerized onto acid-modified starch which had been dispersed and partially solubilized by heating in water. A total irradiation dose of either 1.0 or 0.5 Mrad gave starch–g–poly(vinyl acetate) with about 35% add-on, and a grafting efficiency of about 40% was obtained. A film cast from a starch–g–poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer in which homopolymer was not removed exhibited a higher ultimate tensile strength than a comparable physical mixture of starch and poly(vinyl alcohol).     

Grafting of methyl methacrylate onto collagen initiated by tributylborane

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto collagen initiated by tributylborane was investigated in aqueous medium. The total conversion, percentage of grafting and efficiency of grafting increased with increasing collagen content. The optimum conditions on the percentage of grafting and efficiency of grafting were determined by varying initiator concentration, monomer concentration, and polymerization temperature. The grafting onto denaturated collagen was also studied. It has been suggested that the grafting onto collagen proceeds by a radical mechanism via a complex of TBB and hydrated collagen.     

Graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate onto gelatin

In order to extend the application of grafting for the modification of natural polymers, the graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate onto gelatin by radical initiators was studied in aqueous solution at temperatures between 60°C and 80°C. Among the initiators used (peroxy-sulfates, α,α′-azobisisobutylonitrile, and benzoyl peroxide), potassium peroxysulfate was found to be the most efficient initiator in this particular graft polymerization. From the kinetic data with this initiator, it was shown that (1) efficiency of grafting is higher at lower temperature; (2) a sharp increase in the efficiency of grafting occurs at the later period of the polymerization at high temperature, which is attributable to the combination between homopolymer and backbone gelatin; and (3) generally, the number of branches was small and the molecular weight of the branch polymer was high in this polymerization.     

Functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by free radical graft polymerization initiated from photoinduced surface groups

An easy method for preparing polymer-grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with high graft yields was developed by using free radical graft polymerization (FRGP) from photoinduced surface initiating groups on MWCNTs. The surface initiating groups were first formed by UV irradiation of MWCNTs previously modified with 2,2′-azobis[2-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)propionamide] (VA-086) (MWCNTs-OH) in the presence of benzophenone in benzene, and the subsequent FRGP of vinyl monomers was carried out consecutively at 80 °C. The surface initiating groups were homolytically cleaved to surface radicals and semipinacol radicals by thermal activation, and the surface radicals initiated FRGP. Polystyrene, poly(butyl acrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) were successfully grafted onto the surface of MWCNTs with graft yields of 46, 26, 37, and 53 wt.%, respectively, after 15 h of FRGP.     

Grafting of polymers onto vapor grown carbon fiber surface by ligand-exchange reaction of ferrocene moieties of polymer with polycondensed aromatic rings of the wall-surface

To improve the dispersibility of vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) in solvents, the grafting of copolymer containing vinyl ferrocene (VFE) onto the surface by ligand-exchange reaction between ferrocene moieties of the copolymer and polycondensed aromatic rings of VGCF was investigated. The copolymer containing VFE was prepared by the radical copolymerization of VFE with methyl methacrylate (MMA) using 2, 2′-azobisisobutyronitrole as an initiator. It was found that by heating of VGCF with poly(VFE-co-MMA) in the presence of AlCl₃ and Al powder, the copolymer was grafted onto the wall-surface: the percentage of grafting reached to 57.5%. It is considered that the copolymer was grafted onto VGCF surface by ligand-exchange reaction between ferrocene moieties of the copolymer and polycondensed aromatic rings of VGCF. In addition, carboxyl groups were successfully introduced onto VGCF wall-surface by the ligand-exchange reaction of 1,1′-dicarboxyferrocene with VGCF in the presence of AlCl₃ and Al powder. The carboxyl groups on VGCF were reacted with hydroxyl-terminated polymers to give the corresponding polymer-grafted VGCF. The polymer-grafted VGCF gave a stable colloidal dispersion in solvents for grafted polymer. The electric properties of composite prepared from polymer-grafted VGCF in solvent vapor were investigated.