Synthesis, characterization, and stability of poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) films surface functionalized with fluorescent moieties

Light emission has been introduced onto poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) (PEAA) surfaces by covalently grafting two different fluorescent moieties. The facile surface modification method presented allows commercial polymers to be used for light emitting and sensor applications. Two fluorescent compoun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reactive & functional polymers 2020-07, Vol.152, p.104598, Article 104598
Main Authors: Wynne, Ashley, Frisch, Jonathan R., Britten, Collin, Walters, Keisha B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption
Acids
Acrylic acid
Carboxylic acids
Chemical compounds
Chemicals
Contact angle
Ethylene
Ethylenediamine
Fluorescence
Fluorescence spectroscopy
FTIR spectroscopy
Functional groups
Grafting
Light emission
Light emitting
Lighting
Luminescence
Poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) (PEAA)
Polymer film
Polymer films
Polymers
Sensors
Spectrophotometry
Stability analysis
Surface chemistry
Surface modification
Surface stability
UV–Vis spectrophotometry
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Summary:Light emission has been introduced onto poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) (PEAA) surfaces by covalently grafting two different fluorescent moieties. The facile surface modification method presented allows commercial polymers to be used for light emitting and sensor applications. Two fluorescent compounds, 4′-(octyloxy)-4-biphenyl carboxylic acid (OBC) and 2,7-bis (bromomethyl)-9,9-dihexyl-9H-fluorene (BMDF), were covalently grafted to the surface of PEAA films. Conversion of the carboxylic acid functional group present in PEAA to acid chloride was followed by reaction with ethylenediamine to provide primary amine groups on the film surface. The resultant amine groups then served as the grafting site for OBC and BMDF on the PEAA film (OBC-PEAA and BMDF-PEAA). For each reaction step, the chemical modifications were confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy and static water contact angles. OCB-PEAA and BMDF-PEAA films were evaluated using UV–Vis spectrophotometry to determine UV absorption wavelength ranges. The modified films were then irradiated at their respective maximum absorption wavelengths in a fluorescence spectrophotometer and emissions were identified in both the violet-blue and red regions of visible light. When irradiated at 254 nm, both PEAA-OBC and PEAA-BMDF fluoresce blue. Films were reanalyzed after 6 months and again after 5 years to assess long-term stability of this light emitting behavior. OBC and BMDF grafted to the PEAA films remained chemically stable and functioned effectively as light emitting polymer films for up to 5 years. [Display omitted] •Facile and robust surface modification technique transforms commercially available polymers into light emitting polymers.•Light emitting polymer films exhibit UV radiation absorption and visible blue fluorescence emission.•Polymer film surface chemistry and light emission properties are stable for at least 5 years.
ISSN:1381-5148
1873-166X
DOI:10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2020.104598