SURFACE HYDROXYLATION OF POLY(VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE) (PVDF) FILM

The surface of PVDF film was selectively modified by wet chemistry. Tr eatment with aqueous LiOH produced HF-elimination and the emergence of an oxygen-containing functionality. The XPS analysis clearly indicate d the presence of ketone-, ether(epoxide)-, and alcohol motifs. The pe rcentage of alcohols could be significantly increased by reduction of the ketones with NaBH4 in 2-propanol, followed by reduction of the epo xides with DIBAL-H in hexane. Thus, the full treatment led to a PVDF s urface displaying 7 to 16% of oxygen-containing units, of which about 60% consisted in alcohol motifs. The reactvity of the surface-displaye d hydroxyl functions was assayed by radiolabeling with [H-3]-Ac2O. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.