Formation of coatings with tailored properties on polyperoxide-modified polymeric surfaces

Modification (peroxidation) of polymer surfaces, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon 6-6, poly(phenylene oxide), and ethylene–propylene copolymer were affected by the surface grafting of functional polyperoxides (FPPs) such as poly(5-tert-butylperoxy-5-methyl-1-hexene-3-yne-co-octylmethacrylate) (VEP-co-OMA), poly{N-[(tert-butylperoxy)-methyl]acrylamide-co-octyl methacrylate} (PO-co-OMA), and poly(tert-butylperoxy-methacrylate-co-octyl methacrylate) (PEst-co-OMA). The degree of surface modification was shown to be determined primarily by the structure of the polymer substrate. Using a peroxidized surface as an initiator of grafted copolymerization enabled the grafting of functional monomers (acrylic acid, acrylamide, 4-vinylpyridine, and hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and polysaccharides (heparin, dextran, etc.) and thereby imparted adhesive, antibacterial, haemocompatible properties to the polymer surface.