Analysis of the polyolefin/trialkylamine primer interface

Abstract

AbstractTertiary alkylamines of different chain lengths have been used as primers for adhesive bonding strength promotion for polyolefinic surfaces with cyanoacrylate (CA) adhesives. A combination of the construction of model polyolefin surfaces and advanced molecular‐sensitive analysis tools has been employed for understanding the promoter/polyolefin interaction at the interface. Characterization of primer structure and interfacial properties has been carried out using grazing angle reflection‐absorption Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GA/FTIR), ellipsometry, x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle titration using different pH probe liquids. Our work has focused on the design and construction of a model polyolefin surface using a new in situ polyethylene (PE) polymerization technique to form a controllable thickness (<400 Å) of PE film on a reflective metal surface. The new technique of in situ PE polymerization is based on diazomethane chemistry. Both protonated and deuterated PE films have been successfully prepared. The results of spectroscopic investigations of these model deuterated and non‐deuterated PE surfaces are disclosed. Molecular parameters that affect adhesion promotion have been studied. The parameters studied include molecular structure and alkyl chain length of tertiary alkylamines.