Enhancing immobilization of iron oxide particles on various polymer surfaces

Abstract We report the approach of successful immobilization of iron oxide particles (IOPs) on UV‐activated surface of polymers. PA6 (polyamide 6), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), UHMWPE (ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene), and PP (polypropylene) foils were studied. The surface of polymers was firstly activated by UV radiation and subsequently grafted with IOPs. We have also investigated the effect of surface pre‐grafting with chitosan and triethanolamine on subsequent IOPs grafting. IOPs have been synthesized by co‐precipitation method of ferric and ferrous ions. The changes in surface properties of modified polymer foils before/after individual steps of modification were characterized by contact angle determination, electrokinetic analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The contact angle decreased after UV activation due to the formation of oxygen polar groups. The presence of iron on the polymer surfaces, revealed by XPS, showed that IOPs were successfully bound to the polymer surfaces. XRD analysis confirmed that the prepared IOPs were in the form of magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ). The best results were obtained for the procedure containing UV surface activation, chitosan grafting, and subsequent IOPs immobilization.