Functionalization of solid surfaces by pulsed plasma polymerization

Abstract

Pulsed plasma polymerization provides a direct method for the functionalization of solid surfaces. Compared to low power continuous wave plasma conditions, it provokes very little monomer fragmentation and leads to high levels of structural retention. The monomers investigated in this thesis contained a polymerizable double bond and either a perfluoro, epoxide, cyano, hydroxyl or furan functionality. Under pulsed conditions activation of the double bond occurs during the time on period and conventional intermolecular propagation reactions occur during the time off. In the case of dienes, cyclic structures are formed, via intramolecular propagation. The plasma polymers were investigated using X-ray photoelectron, infrared, ultraviolet/visible and secondary ion mass spectroscopies, nuclear magnetic resonance, contact angle and gel permeation chromatography. Epoxide and hydroxyl functionalized solid surfaces could be further functionalized via conventional chemistry reactions. Furan functionalized solid surfaces were capable of undergoing Diels-Alder reactions. The cyano functionalized layers were found to readily complex silver ions from solution. Epoxide and cyano functionalized surfaces exhibited adhesive behavior.