Copolymerizations initiated by mechano‐radicals on particle surfaces of poly(tetrafluoroethylene)

摘要

AbstractMechanical fracture of solid poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) produces main‐chain scissions of the polymer, and free radicals, called mechano‐radicals, are trapped on fresh surfaces generated by the fracture. These radical conversions were verified by ESR observation when several monomers—methylmethacrylate, vinylacetate, and ethylene—were brought into contact with these mechano‐radical, and the copolymerizations of PTFE with these monomers were demonstrated. It was found that a new surface property, wettability of water, was added to the solid PTFE by the copolymerization with vinyl acetate, although the bulk nature of PTFE was no