SURFACE MODIFICATION OF POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL) BY PEROXIDE-INITIATED GRAFTING OF A POLY(ORGANOPHOSPHAZENE)

A poly(organophosphazene) bearing allylic functions (POPZ (1)) has bee n grafted onto the surface of a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film with th e aid of the benzoyl peroxide initiator. The PVA films were first coat ed with toluenic solutions of POPZ and peroxide and then heated. After grafting, they were extracted with toluene to remove ungrafted POPZ. The resultant surfaces were characterized by ATR-IR, UV, XPS spectrosc opies, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and gravimetric and contact an gle measurements. The presence of the covalently bonded and cross-link ed POPZ on the PVA surface gives it hydrophobic character, which may b e helpful in improving the oxygen-barrier properties at high humidity.