Additives for Improving Polymer Surface Properties
- 詳細技術說明
- Adding one of Cornell's new class of additives during the production of a molded polymer product eliminates the need for the costly and complex post-processing steps currently required to give the product desirable surface properties such as scratch- and UV-resistance, paintability, antimicrobial activity, and wettability
- *Abstract
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Adding one of Cornell's new class of additives during the production of a molded polymer product eliminates the need for the costly and complex post-processing steps currently required to give the product desirable surface properties such as scratch- and UV-resistance, paintability, antimicrobial activity, and wettability. These additives can be added at any point during the production process. Their unique structure ensures both compatibility with the bulk polymer and the additive's ability to migrate to the product's surface in the short time between product formation and curing in sufficient quantities that the product's surface characteristics are changed.
The additives, in the form of branched polymers (see figure 1), are chemically identical to the host polymer except for their core and/or end groups which are formed from nanoparticles or chemical compounds having the desired properties. Surface functionality is obtained by the spontaneous surface segregation of the additives to the host polymer surface. Experimental results confirm that this segregation occurs fast enough that the additives can be used to change the surface properties of injection molded parts. Initial tests indicate that when these polymer additives are blended with liner polystyrene host polymers, the surface tension of the blended polymer is dramatically lower. The lower surface tension is an indication that the additives are migrating to the surface of the host polymer.
Figure 1 is a diagram showing the qualitative comparison of entropic surface segregate ability (the propensity of the structure to due to pure architecture and substructure information. The sign ">" means the molecule at left hand side shows better surface segregate ability under various conditions. This is an example of polymer additives having a fixed Mn, symmetric branches, and a different number of arms.
The additives can be formulated using:
- Different branched polymers making them compatible with other polymers including polyolefins, polycarbonates and methacrylates
- Different core and/or end groups providing different surface functionality including:
- Surface paintability and colorants
- Scratch resistance and weatherability
- Wetability on silicon surfaces
- Anti-fouling
- Antimicrobial agents
- Surface tension and stain resistance
- External lubricants
- Antistatic
- Biocides and biocompatibility
Potential Applications- Any injection molded and extruded plastic product
- Surface segregation occurs on a time scale compatible with injection molding
- Scratch resistant eyewear and lighting lenses
- Bacteria resistant
- Plastic-coated metal pipes or plastic pipes for food processing and heating/ventilation/air conditioning systems
- Polycarbonate medical devices such as intravenous (IV) access systems, urological devices, and housings for diagnostic and hospital equipment
Advantages- Added or improved polymer surface properties
- Robust surface properties that remain stable over time
- Eliminates costly post-production surface treatments
- Reduced processing pressures and cost
- *Licensing
- Martin Teschlmt439@cornell.edu(607) 254-4454
- 其他
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- Minnikanti, V.S., Qian, Z., Archer, Lynden A. (2007). Surface segregation and surface tension of polydisperse polymer melts. J. Chem. Phys. 126, 144905.
- Patent Application: PCT/US2008/011993;
- 國家/地區
- 美國
