Achieve superhydrophilicity of polycarbonate with polyethyleneimine and poly(acrylic acid-co-maleic acid)

ABSTRACT

We have investigated a simple two-step method for the hydrophilic modification of polycarbonate using polyethyleneimine (PEI) and poly(acrylic acid-co-maleic acid) (PAcM). While PEI or PAcM can improve the hydrophilicity, much better hydrophilicity is obtained by treating polycarbonate with PEI and then PAcM. While a higher treating temperature generally leads to a lower contact angle, the reaction time does not play an important role (e.g., between 15 and 90 min). Meanwhile, increasing the concentration of PEI or PAcM can generate better hydrophilicity. Superhydrophilicity is obtained with a contact angle of 3° while maintaining the transparency of polycarbonate.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Contact angles
• hydrophilic
• polycarbonate

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the support of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (60NANB22D130), and the School of Science and Engineering, the University of Missouri – Kansas City, of the United States of America.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology [60NANB22D130].

Notes on contributors

Brittney Zimmerle

Brittney Zimmerle, She is a Graduate Student of Chemistry in the Division of Energy, Matter & Systems, School of Science and Engineering, University of Missouri – Kansas City, USA, and works with Professor Chen on the modification of plastics and microwave absorption materials.

Mishal Wu

Mishal Wu, She is an undergraduate student in Chemistry in the Division of Energy, Matter & Systems, School of Science and Engineering, University of Missouri – Kansas City, USA, and has participated in the development of the modification of plastics.

Miranda Liu

Miranda Liu, She is a high school student in Piedmont High School, California, USA, and has been working with Professor Chen on the data analysis of the modification of plastics.

Cadao Nguyen

Cadao Nguyen, She is an undergraduate student of Chemistry Division of Energy, Matter & Systems, School of Science and Engineering, University of Missouri – Kansas City, USA, and has been working with Professor Chen on the surface coating of various materials.

Xiaobo Chen

Xiaobo Chen, He is a Full Professor, and the Chemistry Graduate and Research Program Chair in the Division of Energy, Matter & Systems, School of Science and Engineering, University of Missouri – Kansas City. His research interests include nanomaterials, renewable energy, plastic modification and recycling, pollutant removal, etc. He has published over 200 articles with over 73,000 citations.