SURFACE-PROPERTIES OF ALTERNATED ALIPHATIC POLYKETONES

Surface properties of alternated aliphatic polyketones, C-2/CO and C-2 /C-3/CO (where C-3 is less than or equal to 11 mol%) have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. C ore level photoemission spectra have been found similar to those of po ly(vinyl alkyl ketones). Some lack of oxygen at the surface of powder polymers was attributed to contamination during synthesis. Contact ang les were found intermediate between hydrophobic and hydrophilic polyme rs, with a large hysteresis likely caused by some surface degradation. Mild oxygen plasma treatments were found to increase very much the su rface wettability, with a moderate increase of O/C atomic ratio. Aging was observed on plasma treated surfaces, with a partial hydrophobic r ecovery. Surfaces were found to degrade easily under treatments like p rocessing by injection or compression moulding and ion bombardment. (C ) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.