This book is a collection of invited papers (previously published in special issues of the Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology) written by internationally recognized researchers actively working in the field of plasma surface modification. It provides a current, comprehensive overview of the plasma treatment of polymers. In contrast to plasm

A guide to modifying and functionalizing the surfaces of polymers Surface Modification of Polymers is an essential guide to the myriad methods that can be employed to modify and functionalize the surfaces of polymers. The functionalization of polymer surfaces is often required for applications in sensors, membranes, medicinal devices, and others. The contributors?noted experts on the topic?describe the polymer surface in detail and discuss the internal and external factors that influence surface properties. This comprehensive guide to the most important methods for the introduction of new functionalities is an authoritative resource for everyone working in the field. This book explores many applications, including the plasma polymerization technique, organic surface functionalization by initiated chemical vapor deposition, photoinduced functionalization on polymer surfaces, functionalization of polymers by hydrolysis, aminolysis, reduction, oxidation, surface modification of nanoparticles, and many more. Inside, readers will find information on various applications in the biomedical field, food science, and membrane science. This important book: -Offers a range of polymer functionalization methods for biomedical applications, water filtration membranes, and food science -Contains discussions of the key surface modification methods, including plasma and chemical techniques, as well as applications for nanotechnology, environmental filtration, food science, and biomedicine -Includes contributions from a team of international renowned experts Written for polymer chemists, materials scientists, plasma physicists, analytical chemists, surface physicists, and surface chemists, Surface Modification of Polymers offers a comprehensive and application-oriented review of the important functionalization methods with a special focus on biomedical applications, membrane science, and food science.

In what is an extremely practical and applicable new work, experts provide concise explanations, with examples and illustrations, of the key techniques in this important field. In each case, after basic principles have been reviewed, applications of the experimental techniques are discussed and illustrated with specific examples. Scientists and engineers in research and development will benefit from an application-oriented book that helps them to find solutions to both fundamental and applied problems. They will know that the surfaces and interfaces of polymers play an important role in most of the application areas of polymers, from moulds, foils, and composites, to biomaterials and applications in micro- and nanotechnology.

The topic of polymer surface modification is of tremendous contemporary interest because of its critical importance in many and varied technological applications where polymers are used. Currently there is brisk research activity in unraveling the mechanisms of surface modification and finding ways to prolong the life of surface treatment. Also there is acute interest and need to devise new, improved and economical means to modify polymer surfaces. This book is divided into three parts as follows: Part 1: Surface Modification Techniques; Part 2: Interfacial Aspects and Adhesion; Part 3: General Papers. The topics covered include: various techniques for surface modification including plasma (both vacuum and atmospheric pressure), ozone, photografting, UV photo-oxidation, laser, use of charged particles and others for a variety of polymers; longevity of surface treatment; hydrophobic recovery; fabrication of high-density polymer nano-dots; immobilization of organometallic catalysts on textile carrier materials; polymer membrane antifouling properties; electroless metallization of polymers; effects of surface modification on interfacial shear strength of composites, cord/rubber adhesion, adhesion of UV-curable coatings and attachment of hyperbranched polymers; plasma polymerization; block copolymers; application of plasma technology in decontamination of heat-sensitive polymer surfaces. In essence this book reflects the current state-of-the-knowledge in the arena and represents the work of many renowned scientists and technologists. It should be of interest to anyone with a desire or need to learn the latest R&D activity in this domain and the information contained here should be very valuable in deciding the optimum surface modification technique for his/her particular requirements.

This book documents the proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Polymer Surface Modification: Relevance to Adhesion held under the auspices of MST Conferences, LLC in Orlando, FL, June 9-11, 2003. Polymers are used for a variety of purposes in a host of technological applications and even a cursory look at the literature will evince that currently there is tremendous interest and R&D activity in the area of polymer surface modification to attain their desired surface characteristics, particularly to enhance their adhesion. This volume contains a total of 25 papers which were properly peer reviewed, revised and edited. So this book is not merely a collection of papers, rather represents the highest standard of publication. The book is divided into three parts: 1. Plasma Surface Modification Techniques; 2. Other / Miscellaneous Surface Modification Techniques; and 3. General Papers. The topics covered include: low pressure plasma surface modification of a variety of polymers using various gases; atmospheric pressure plasma treatment; improvement of stain release properties of fabrics; modification of electrostatic properties of polymers; photon-based processes for surface modification of fibers; excimer UV light treatment; excimer laser surface treatment; low-energy ion treatment; photo-grafting and photo-curing; metallization of treated polymers; chemical (wet) functionalization of polymers; adhesion of paints to thermoplastic substrates; polymer release surfaces; nanolithography in polymer films; gas barrier properties of ceramic layers on polymers; and modification of interphase layer and relevance to adhesion. This volume and its predecessors containing plentiful information should serve as a comprehensive source of latest R&D activity in the highly technologically important arena of polymer surface modification. Anyone interested –centrally or peripherally– in knowing or learning about the various ways to modify polymer surfaces should find this book of immense value.

Polymer surface modification is a topic that has been the object of a large number of investigations by academia and industry, but relatively little attention has been paid to surface activation technologies which, when appropriately utilized, make specific polymer-based surfaces receptive to value-adding interfaces such as inks, coating and adhesive formulations. Adhesion strength is generally determined by the properties of a base material and its interface. Optimizing adhesion strength can be accomplished by modifying these interfaces chemically and physically. As polymers are continually engineered to meet new product application requirements, optimizing the activation of these surfaces requires a fresh look at cost effective ways to etch, clean and functionalize them. These demands require detailed information on the surface treatment of classic materials, as well as an examination of the latest surface treatment machine designs available anywhere in the world today which are used to process these materials. There are four full chapters devoted specifically to corona, ozone, flame, and plasma discharge surface treatment technologies; and an interesting and useful identification of common adhesion maladays.

Modification of Polymer Properties provides, for the first time, in one title, the latest information on gradient IPNs and gradient copolymers. The book covers the broad range of polymer modification routes in a fresh, current view representing a timely addition to the technical literature of this important area. Historically, blends, copolymers, or filled polymers have been developed to meet specific properties, or to optimize the cost/properties relationship. Using the gradient structure approach with conventional radical polymerization, it has been shown that it is possible to optimize properties if appropriate gradients in the composition of copolymer chains are obtained. An overview of the gradient structure approach for designing polymers has not appeared in the recent literature and this title covers the different methods used to modify properties, offering the whole range of ways to modify polymers in just one volume and making this an attractive option for a wide audience of practitioners. The approach for each chapter is to explain the fundamental principles of preparation, cover properties modification, describe future research and applications as examples of materials that may be prepared for specific applications, or that are already in use, in present day applications. The book is for readers that have a basic background in polymer science, as well as those interested in the different ways to combine or modify polymer properties. Provides an integrated view on how to modify polymer properties Presents the entire panorama of polymer properties modification in one reference, covering the essential information in each topic Includes the optimization of properties using gradients in polymers composition or structure