Zinc oxide enhancing hydrophilicity to [polytetrafluoroethylene-graft-poly (methyl methacrylate)]-graft-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) films

The low reactivity of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) switches up through grafting reactions with acrylic monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA). (PTFE-gPMMA)-g-PDEAEMA copolymer enhances its hydrophilic behavior through the coating of ZnO. Co-60 is used as the radical initiator source to perform a graft copolymerization through a two-step route, first using preirradiation oxidative to graft MMA, followed by direct irradiation to graft DEAEMA. Experimental parameters dose, solvent, and monomer concentration are studied. The characterization by infrared spectroscopy (FTIRATR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), is complemented by physicochemical studies of swelling and drop water contact angle. The ZnO-loaded (PTFE-g-PMMA)-g-PDEAEMA films are structured for multifunctional aims, as expected for their organic/inorganic composition.

Automated summary

By grafting reactions with acrylic monomers, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) can enhance its hydrophilic behavior and improve its application potential. Experimental parameters such as dose, solvent, and monomer concentration were studied, and the new material was analyzed using various characterization methods.