Surface modification of PET membranes by “grafting to” approach

COLL 210

Oleksandr Burtovyy, oburtov@CLEMSON.EDU1, Viktor Klep, klep@clemson.edu1, Tacibaht Turel, turelta@auburn.edu2, Yasser Gowayed, gowayya@auburn.edu2, and Igor Luzinov, luzinov@clemson.edu1. (1) School of Materials Science and Engineering, Clemson University, 161 Sirrine Hall, Clemson, SC 29634, (2) Department of Polymer and Fiber Engineering, Auburn University, 115 Textile Building, Auburn, AL 36849
Surface modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) membranes was carried out by grafting of hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers using “grafting to” technique. To increase initial surface reactivity of the membranes air plasma or sodium hydroxide treatments were applied for a short time. The reactive anchoring interface was created by deposition of several nanometers of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) on the membrane boundary. Next, polymers containing reactive (amino and carboxy) groups were grafted to the macromolecular PGMA anchoring layer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gas permeation test demonstrated that the polymers could be chemically attached to the PET membranes modified with PGMA. Grafted polymers uniformly covered the surface and did not block pores. Water contact angle measurements showed excellent wetting properties with water for the membranes grafted with hydrophilic polymers and significant hydrophobicity for the membranes modified with hydrophobic grafted layer.
 

Fundamental Research in Colloid and Surface Chemistry
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- East Registration, Poster

Division of Colloid & Surface Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007