Surface functionalization of PEEK films using photochemical routes

Two photochemical routes have been considered for the surface topologically defined functionalization of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) films, based, respectively, on the covalent coupling of molecules protected with a photo clivable group (indirect way A), and on the photografting of various azide derivatives (direct way B). (4,5-Dimethoxy-2-nitrophenyl)methyl succinamate 3 could be coupled to the PEEK-OH film surface, under wet-chemistry condit ions, but in rather low yield. 4-Azido-benzoic acid 9,4-azido-tetrafluorobe nzoic acid 6 and N-butyl-N'-(4-azidophenyl)thiourea 8 were grafted on the P EEK and PEEK-OH films surface, under mild photochemical conditions, in mode rate to good yields. Attempts to obtain patterned surfaces with 4-azido-ben zoic acid 9 and sodium 5-azido-naphthalene-1-sulphonate 10, under microlith ographic conditions, failed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.