Functional Polymer Surfaces

本研究的主题是开发分子和大分子基础，以产生所需的表面结构和功能，避免制造后工艺，如等离子体处理。为此，开展了双功能大分子单体的合成与应用研究。DFM是具有常规端基（例如，醇）并含有（a）半氟化侧链和（B）官能侧链。有人提出，半氟化的“纳米球囊”将在诸如溶剂浇铸或熔融加工的操作中为表面带来所需的功能性。因此，DFM概念利用了众所周知的含氟聚合物基团表面浓缩的趋势。然而，在这样做时，共聚物结构导致通常在本体中的官能度被带到表面。DFM概念将首先应用于聚氨酯。计划是制备（a）表面活性DFM，（B）包含DFM软嵌段的PU，和（c）使用常规聚氨酯作为主要组分和DFM PU作为次要组分的共混物。在纳米结构和微观结构水平上控制所得到的材料性质。DFM PU用于控制表面功能，而传统的本体PU提供独立控制的机械性能。拟议的工作重点是一个新的和潜在的经济的方法，特别是在聚合物材料的表面引入化学功能。拟议的表面化学控制预计将改善制造物品的附着力和耐用性，促进生物医学材料的长期功能，并产生新的材料，用于在接触时摧毁危险病原体。

The theme of this research is the development of a molecular and macromolecular basis for generating desired surface structure and function that avoids post-manufacturing processes such as plasma treatment. To this end, the synthesis and utilization of Dual Function Macromonomers (DFMs) will be carried out. DFMs are difunctional low molar mass copolymers having conventional end groups (e.g., alcohol) and containing (a) semifluorinated sidechains and (b) functional sidechains. It is proposed that semifluorinated "nanoballoons" will bring desired functionality to the surface in operations such as solvent casting or melt processing. Thus, the DFM concept leverages the well-known tendency of fluoropolymer groups to surface-concentrate. However, in so doing, copolymer structure causes functionality that would ordinarily be in the bulk to be brought to the surface. The DFM concept will be applied first to polyurethanes. The plan is to prepare (a) surface active DFMs, (b) PUs incorporating DFM soft blocks, and (c) blends using a conventional polyurethane as major component and DFM PU as minor component. The resulting material properties are controlled at the nanostructure and microstructural levels. The DFM PU is employed for controlling surface function while a conventional bulk PU provides independently controlled mechanical properties. The proposed work focuses on a new and potentially economical method for introducing chemical functionality specifically at the surface of polymeric materials. The proposed control of surface chemistry is anticipated to improve adhesion and durability of manufactured items, to facilitate long-term function of biomedical materials, and to bring into existence new materials for destroying dangerous pathogens on contact.