Synthesis and surface property variations of polypropylene-graft-poly(ethylene glycol)

Graft copolymers containing nonpolar main chains and polar side chains capa ble of acid-base interaction show surface property variations depending on the sample preparation methods. A series of polypropylene-graft-poly(ethyle ne glycol)s were synthesized and their surface property variations were stu died using surface analysis techniques, such as surface contact angle measu rement and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis. Molding against vari ous substrates, dip-coating, vacuum annealing, and water-contact techniques were employed for the experiment. Different surfaces were obtained dependi ng on the degree of acid-base interaction between the polymer surface and i nterfacing phase. These surface property variations were concluded to be th e result of minimum interfacial free energy formation. (C) 2001 Academic Pr ess.