US 7,026,014 B2 · Surface modification of substrates

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a practically universal surface modification process and the materials thereby obtained. In general, the process includes initial epoxy modification of a substrate surface by attachment of an epoxy-containing polymer to the surface. Following attachment of the polymer, still-existing epoxy groups on the polymer may then cross-link the polymer to form a unified anchoring layer on the surface. Other epoxy groups in the anchoring layer, not utilized in forming the layer may be used to graft surface modifying materials to the surface. For instance, macromolecules, biomolecules, polymers, and polymerization initiators may be grafted to the surface via the anchoring layer.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A process for modifying the surface characteristics of a substrate comprising:

applying a polymer comprising multiple epoxy groups and having a number average molecular weight of about 2000 or greater to a substrate surface, wherein the substrate is formed of a substrate material that comprises functional groups that are reactive with epoxy;
reacting only a portion of the epoxy groups on the polymer with at least a portion of the functional groups of the substrate material to bind the polymer directly to the substrate material at multiple points along the polymer;
and
cross-linking the polymer via reaction of only a portion of the epoxy groups on the polymer to form a cross-linked polymeric anchoring layer bound directly to the substrate material at the substrate surface, wherein the anchoring layer comprises epoxy functionality.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Surface modification of substrates

Life of this patent

Surface modification of substrates

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27