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Sulfonation of Poly(propylene) Films with Fuming Sulfuric Acid
Author(s) -
Kaneko Masashi,
Sato Hisaya
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.200400312
Subject(s) - sulfuric acid , polymer chemistry , low density polyethylene , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , chemistry , polymer , infrared spectroscopy , attenuated total reflection , polyethylene , materials science , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
Summary: Sulfonation is one of the most commonly used methods for the surface modification of polymers. In this study, the sulfonation of poly(propylene) (PP) films with fuming sulfuric acid has been investigated with the focus on the surface reaction. Analysis of the sulfonated PP films by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared spectroscopy, and chemical modification demonstrated the formation of CC double bonds and sulfate groups in the sulfonation process. These results and a comparison with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) films led us to propose a new sulfonation mechanism involving hydride abstraction and the formation of β ‐sultones.The here proposed mechanism of the sulfonation of poly(propylene) involves the formation of unstable β ‐sultones.