GRAFTING OF GERMANIUM PHTHALOCYANINE DICHLORIDE ON POLY(VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE) SURFACES

Room temperature ultrasonic surface modifications of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with germanium phthalocyanine dichloride in the presence of lithium lead to the formation of Ge-C bonds on the PVDF surfaces. Based on the analysis of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infra-red, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (X.p.s.) and ultraviolet-visible (u.v.-vis.) spectra of the PVDF modified surfaces, it is shown that these species are chemically bonded through a central metal atom. This is demonstrated by the appearance of the 613 cm(-1) band due to the Ge-C stretching mode, and a parallel disappearance of the C-F and C-H modes at 764, 1182 and 1209 cm(-1). Although more data are needed to establish mechanistic aspects of these reactions, X.p.s. and u.v.-vis. spectral analyses also indicate a removal of HF groups from the PVDF surface and the formation of C-Ge bonds.