Surface properties modification

This means an increase of the flux (J) and water selectivity (P) for the modified membrane - due to the surface properties modification by plasma treatment - comparing to the untreated membrane. 

A variety of organic/inorganic additives, in either solid or liquid form, are incorporated into plastic articles to achieve desired surface property modification. Depending upon the specific function they perform in modifying the surface property, they could be categorized as follows ... 

Surfaces are investigated with surface-sensitive teclmiques in order to elucidate fiindamental infonnation. The approach most often used is to employ a variety of techniques to investigate a particular materials system. As each teclmique provides only a limited amount of infonnation, results from many teclmiques must be correlated in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of surface properties. In section A 1.7.5. methods for the experimental analysis of surfaces in vacuum are outlined. Note that the interactions of various kinds of particles with surfaces are a critical component of these teclmiques. In addition, one of the more mteresting aspects of surface science is to use the tools available, such as electron, ion or laser beams, or even the tip of a scaiming probe instrument, to modify a surface at the atomic scale. The physics of the interactions of particles with surfaces and the kinds of modifications that can be made to surfaces are an integral part of this section. 

Sonochemistry is also proving to have important applications with polymeric materials. Substantial work has been accomplished in the sonochemical initiation of polymerisation and in the modification of polymers after synthesis (3,5). The use of sonolysis to create radicals which function as radical initiators has been well explored. Similarly the use of sonochemicaHy prepared radicals and other reactive species to modify the surface properties of polymers is being developed, particularly by G. Price. Other effects of ultrasound on long chain polymers tend to be mechanical cleavage, which produces relatively uniform size distributions of shorter chain lengths. 

Modification of the membranes affects the properties. Cross-linking improves mechanical properties and chemical resistivity. Fixed-charge membranes are formed by incorporating polyelectrolytes into polymer solution and cross-linking after the membrane is precipitated (6), or by substituting ionic species onto the polymer chain (eg, sulfonation). Polymer grafting alters surface properties (7). Enzymes are added to react with permeable species (8—11) and reduce fouling (12,13). 

Electron beam-initiated modification of polymers is a relatively new technique with certain advantages over conventional processes. Absence of catalyst residue, complete control of the temperature, a solvent-free system, and a source of an enormous amount of radicals and ions are some of the reasons why this technique has gained commercial importance in recent years. The modification of polyethylene (PE) for heat-shrinkable products using this technique has been recently reported [30,31]. Such modification is expected to alter the surface properties of PE and lead to improved adhesion and dyeability. 

Surface modification of any material including polymers is concerned with a change of the surface properties. The surface properties can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of one... 

Radiation Treatment NVP, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), and acrylamide (AAm) have been grafted to the surface of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber vulcanizates using the radiation method (from a Co 7 source) to alter surface properties such as wettability and therefore biocompatibility [197]. Poncin-Epaillard et al. [198] have reported the modification of isotactic PP surface by EB and grafting of AA onto the activated polymer. Radiation-induced grafting of acrylamide onto PE is very important... 

The modification of the surface properties of polyphosphazene films could be achieved in several different ways, and the most important types of modifications carried out over the years are reported in Table 23. 

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