Surface-initiated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization from “clickable” polypropylene surface modified by iodine plasma activation

Abstract An iodine modified polypropylene surface was synthesized by iodine plasma activation. The obtained polypropylene surface was found to be a useful platform for secondary reactions. For instance, an azide-functionalized PP was prepared by nucleophilic exchange reaction. The surface was proven to be reactive toward R group of an alkyne modified RAFT agent via the copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition. RAFT mediated graft polymerization of methacrylic acid was carried out and lead to a controlled polymerization from the surface. Characterizations of the modified surface and the grafted polymers were performed through FTIR-GATR, XPS, AFM and colorimetric assays.