Methods of forming a polymer layer on a polymer surface
AssigneeTriblue Corporation
InventorsJoseph Victor Alexander, Eric Anderson Grulke
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Abstract
Methods of forming polymer layers on polymer surfaces using surface initiated atom-transfer radical-polymerization (ATRP) are described. The method can include functionalization steps prior to performing surface initiated ATRP, such as hydroxylation steps and/or halogenation steps. The hydroxylation step can be carried out in a solution including potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, or lithium hydroxide. The halogenation step can also be carried out in a solution. The methods described herein can be performed on bundles of hollow polymer fibers, including bundles of hollow polymer fibers mounted in a module.
Claims15
A method of forming a polymer film on a polymer fiber, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) cleaning the polymer fiber by successively immersing the polymer fiber in one or more solvents;
- (b) hydroxylating the polymer fiber in a hydroxylation solution comprising potassium persulfate;
- (c) halogenating the polymer fiber;
- and
- (d) performing surface initiated atom-transfer radical-polymerization on the polymer fiber, wherein the surface initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization forms a polymer film on the polymer fiber.
A method of forming a polymer layer on a bundle of hollow polymer fibers, the method comprising:
- providing a bundle of hollow polymer fibers;
- cleaning the bundle of hollow polymer fibers by successively immersing the bundle of hollow polymer fibers in one or more solvents;
- potting the bundle of hollow polymer fibers in a module;
- halogenating the bundle of hollow polymer fibers with a halogenation solution;
- and
- performing surface initiated atom-transfer radical-polymerization on the bundle of hollow polymer fibers, wherein the surface initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization forms a polymer film on the hollow polymer fibers;
- wherein the halogenation solution comprises hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphorous tribromide, phosphorous trichloride, hydroiodic acid, thionyl chloride, thionyl bromide, or combinations thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.