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Catechol-Functionalized Latex Polymers Display Improved Adhesion to Low-Surface-Energy Thermoplastic Polyolefin Substrates

2019; American Chemical Society; Volume: 1; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1021/acsapm.9b00130

2637-6105

Xiangyi Zhang, Matthew C. D. Carter, Matthew E. Belowich, Grace Wan, Matthew Crimmins, K. B. Laughlin, Ralph C. Even, Thomas H. Kalantar,

Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures

We report the synthesis and characterization of catechol-functionalized film-forming latexes that display excellent adhesion to low-surface-energy polyolefin-based substrates. The aromatic 1,2-diol functional group in catechol derivatives is believed to be responsible for enhancing the adhesion of a variety of polymers to a range of substrates. Here, we describe a postpolymerization modification approach to the design of emulsion polymers with catechol-functionalized side chains. A series of analogous small-molecule reactions, together with latex characterization by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography (LC) methods, provides evidence for polymer functionalization. Films prepared from catechol-containing latexes displayed remarkable adhesion to challenging, commercially-available thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) (as determined by a standard ASTM cross-hatch method). We provide evidence that covalent bonding and the unique catechol structure are required to promote adhesion. The catechol-functionalized emulsion polymers reported here represent a new class of functional latex, and this postpolymerization modification approach will present further opportunities to improve, modulate, and control the adhesion of water-borne coatings to a variety of polyolefin-based substrates.