Surface Modification of Inorganic Oxide Surfaces by Graft Polymerization

Abstract

Modification of inorganic oxide surfaces is used in a variety of practical applications and in the study of interfacial phenomena. There are a multitude of surface modification methods, including modification by reactive polymer interlayers, diblock copolymerization, and polymer adsorption. Although various polymers can be used to modify an inorganic oxide substrate, this chapter focuses on poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly(vinyl acetate). PVP grafting can be used to form a nontoxic surface that possesses superior hydrophilic and biocompatible properties. Free-radical graft polymerization in solution is relatively simple to carry out experimentally. The grafted polymer is covalently bonded to the surface through two concurrent mechanisms: polymer grafting and graft polymerization. Surface pretreatment is a crucial step which determines the surface activity for the subsequent graft polymerization. The use of vinyl alkoxysilanes with two or three alkoxy groups is particularly useful when the graft polymerization process is conducted in an aqueous solution.