Synthesis and enrichment of a macromolecular surface modifier PP-b-PVP for polypropylene

Polypropylene-block-poly(vinylpyrrolidone) copolymer was synthesized through the esterification of dicarboxyl-terminated polypropylene with monohydroxyl-terminated poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and used as a macromolecular surface modifier to improve the surface hydrophilicity of PP. The results of ATR-FTIR and contact angles measurements indicated that PP-b-PVP could diffuse preferably onto the surface by the inducement of high energy interface and lower the water contact angle of polypropylene. Lower loading and lower molecular weight of PP and PVP segment would result in higher surface selective enrichment. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.