Surface properties of alternated aliphatic polyketones

Abstract Surface properties of alternated aliphatic polyketones, C 2 CO and C 2 /C 3 /CO (where C 3 is ≤ 11 mol%) have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. Core level photoemission spectra have been found similar to those of poly(vinyl alkyl ketones). Some lack of oxygen at the surface of powder polymers was attributed to contamination during synthesis. Contact angles were found intermediate between hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers, with a large hysteresis likely caused by some surface degradation. Mild oxygen plasma treatments were found to increase very much the surface wettability, with a moderate increase of O C atomic ratio. Aging was observed on plasma treated surfaces, with a partial hydrophobic recovery. Surfaces were found to degrade easily under treatments like processing by injection or compression moulding and ion bombardment.