Sains Malaysiana 49(1)(2020): 169-178

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2020-4901-21

Modification of PTFE Flat Sheet Film via Radiation Induced Grafting Polymerization with Acrylic Acid

(Modifikasi Filem Kepingan Rata PTFE melalui Kaedah Pempolimeran Cangkuk Sinaran dengan Asid Akrilik)

FAEZEAH ABD GHANI^1,2, KHAIDZIR HAMZAH^2,3*, NOR HASIMAH MOHAMED^1,4 & WAN NORHARYATI WAN SALLEH^1,2

¹Advanced Film Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

²UTM-MPRC Institute for Oil and Gas, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

³Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FCEE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

⁴Radiation Processing Technology Division, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Received: 25 February 2019/Accepted: 15 October 2019

ABSTRACT

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) flat sheet film was modified with acrylic acid (AAC) by radiation induced grafting polymerization (RIGP) method using electron beam. The adsorbed doses were varied from 10 to 50 kGy, time of grafting from 1 to 3 h and monomer concentration and  temperature were kept constant at 30 wt. % and 40ºC. The degree of grafting (D_g) and equilibrium degree of swelling (EDS) of the grafted films were then determined. The films were further characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and optical water contact angle. D_g within the range of 17% to 210% were obtained for doses from 10 to 50 kGy within time of grafting from 1 to 3 h. The grafted film (PTFE-g-AAC) showed increased hydrophilicity leading to an increase in EDS. The successful grafting process was confirmed by FTIR results that showed characteristics peaks for carbonyl and hydroxyl group and a decrease in crystallinity for the PTFE-g-AAC film. SEM images showed that PTFE-g-AAC films had less fibrillar compared to PTFE film and was consistent with the decrease in roughness for the PTFE-g-AAC film. This study indicated that modifying PTFE film by grafting AAC could significantly improve the hydrophilicity of PTFE film. The PTFE-g-AAC films has potential as a heavy metal adsorbent as it can remove at least 75% of Fe ion and 50 % of Pb ion from competitive media.

Keywords: Acrylic acid; adsorbent; polytetrafluoroethylene; radiation grafting

ABSTRAK

Filem kepingan rata politetrafluoroetilena (PTFE) telah diubah suai dengan asid akrilik (AAC) melalui kaedah pempolimeran cangkuk sinaran (RIGP) menggunakan alur elektron. Dos terserap diubah daripada 10 sehingga 50 kGy, masa cangkukan dari 1 sehingga 3 jam manakala kepekatan monomer 30% pada suhu 40ºC. Darjah pencangkukan (D_g) dan darjah keseimbangan pengembangan (EDS) filem ditentukan. Seterusnya filem dianalisis menggunakan spektroskopi transformasi Fourier inframerah (FTIR), mikroskopi pengimbas elektron (SEM), mikroskopi tenaga atom (AFM), pembelauan sinar-X (XRD) dan sudut sentuhan optik. Keputusan diperoleh menunjukkan D_g berada pada julat antara 17% sehingga 210% untuk dos 10 hingga 50 kGy pada masa cangkukan antara 1 sehingga 3 jam. Filem yang dicangkuk (PTFE-g-AAC) menunjukkan peningkatan sifat hidrofilik yang memberi kesan kepada peningkatan EDS. Keberhasilan pencangkukan dapat disahkan melalui FTIR iaitu kewujudan puncak bagi kumpulan berfungsi karbonil dan hidroksil serta penurunan sifat hablur filem PTFE-g-AAC. Imej SEM membuktikan filem PTFE-g-AAC mempunyai kurang fibril berbanding filem PTFE dan konsisten dengan penurunan darjah kekasaran untuk PTFE-g-AAC. Kajian ini menunjukkan dengan mengubahsuai filem PTFE dengan AAC secara pempolimeran cangkukan sinaran dapat meningkatkan sifat hidrofilik filem PTFE. Filem PTFE-g-AAC mempunyai potensi sebagai penjerab logam berat sebagaimana ia dapat menyingkirkan 75% ion Fe and 50% ion Pb daripada media yang kompetitif.

Kata kunci: Asid akrilik; pengrafan radiasi; penjerab; politetrafluoroetilena (PTFE)

REFERENCES

Abdel Ghaffar, A.M., El-Arnaouty, M.B., Aboulfotouh, M.E., Taher, N.H. & Ahmed A.T. 2014. Radiation graft copolymerization of butyl methacrylate and acrylamide onto low density polyethylene and polypropylene films, and its application in wastewater treatment. Radiation Effects and Defects in Solids 169(9): 741-753.

Chen, M., Karen, S.P., Stephen, J.R. & Edward, P. 2018. Competitive association of cations with poly (sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and heavy metal removal from water by PSS-assisted ultrafiltration. Chemical Engineering Journal 344: 155-164.

Cheng, B., Yuuki, I. & Kazuhiko, I. 2019. Surface functionalization of polytetrafluoroethylene substrate with hybrid processes comprising plasma treatment and chemical reactions. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 173: 77-84.

Essawy, H.A., Magdy, F.M., Nabila, S.A. & Hanan, S.I. 2017. The promise of a specially-designed graft copolymer of acrylic acid onto cellulose as selective sorbent for heavy metal ions. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 103: 261-267.

Gao, Q., Jiangtao, H., Rong, L., Zhe, X., Lijuan, P. & Mingxing, Z. 2019. Radiation-induced graft polymerization for the preparation of a highly efficient UHMWPE fibrous adsorbent for Cr (VI) removal. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 130: 92-102.

Gengec, N.A., Ugur, C. & Yildirim, H.E. 2016. Superhydrophobic perfluoropolymer/polystyrene blend films induced by nonsolvent. Applied Surface Science 383: 33-41.

Ghani, F.A., Hamzah, K., Salleh, W.W.N. & Mohamed, N.H. 2017. Preparation and characterization of PTFE flat sheet membrane: Effect of sodium benzoate content. Malaysian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Sciences 13(4): 598-601.

Hegazy, D.E. 2012. Selectivity of acrylic acid radiation grafted non-woven polypropylene sheets towards some heavy metals ions. Open Journal of Polymer Chemistry 2: 6-13.

Hidzir, N.M., Qianhui, L., David, J.T.H., Firas, R. & Lisbeth, G. 2015. Grafting of acrylic acid-co-itaconic acid onto ePTFE and characterization of water uptake by the graft copolymers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 132(7): 41482.

Jain, M., Garg, V.K., Kadirvelu, K. & Sillanpää, M. 2016. Adsorption of heavy metals from multi-metal aqueous solution by sunflower plant biomass-based carbons. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 13(2): 493-500.

Jiang, C., Xiaohong, W., Ganghu, W., Chen, H., Xin, L. & Tihai, L. 2019. Adsorption performance of a polysaccharide composite hydrogel based on crosslinked glucan/chitosan for heavy metal ions. Composites Part B: Engineering 169: 45-54.

Kaltz, A., Lea, B., Jonathan, S.T. & Andreas, S. 2018. Investigations on the selectivity of grafted high performance anion exchangers and the underlying graft mechanism. Analytica Chimica Acta 999: 176-183.

Kim, H.H. & Lee, G.T. 2017. Removal of mercury ions in a simulated wastewater using functionalized poly(glycidyl methacrylate). Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry 47: 446-450.

Krumpolec, R., David, C.C., Tomáš, H. & Mirko, Č. 2016. Surface chemistry and initial growth of Al₂O₃ on plasma modified PTFE studied by ALD. Surfaces and Interfaces 6: 223-228.

Li, C., Zehua, H., Feng, W., Hailin, Z., Yuhai, G. & Meiyu, C. 2019. Laccase-catalyzed homo-polymer of GAL and cross-linking with PEI to enhance hydrophilicity and antifouling property of PTFE flat membrane. Progress in Organic Coatings 132: 429-439.

Li, Y., Shaobin, H., Shaofeng, Z., Anthony, G.F., Yongqing, Z. & Shuaifei, Z. 2018. Enhancing water permeability and fouling resistance of polyvinylidene fluoride membranes with carboxylated nanodiamonds. Journal of Membrane Science 556: 154-163.

Liu, L., Xiaoping, G., Shuqi, W., Lei, L., Yang, Z. & Guanhong, L. 2018. Effects of wood vinegar on properties and mechanism of heavy metal competitive adsorption on secondary fermentation based composts. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 150(35): 270-279.

López, S.F., Guadalupe, G.F.R., Beatríz, M., Angel, C., Carmen, A.L. & Emilio, B. 2019. Radiation grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinylimidazole) onto polytetrafluoroethylene films and silver immobilization for antimicrobial performance. Applied Surface Science 473: 951-959.

Magaña, H., Kenia, P., Jose, M.C.B., Carmen, A.L., Angel, C. & Emilio, B. 2015. Radiation-grafting of acrylamide onto silicone rubber films for diclo-fenac delivery. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 107: 164-170.

Mahmoud, M.N., Ting, T.M., Ali, A., Alireza, L.M., Alinezhad, S.S. & Hashim, K. 2016. Radiation grafted adsorbents for newly emerging environmental applications. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 118: 55-60.

Marcus, Y. 1994. A simple empirical model describing the thermodynamics of hydration of ions of widely varying charges, sizes, and shapes. Biophysical Chemistry 51: 111-127.

Martínez, C.A., Juan, C.R., Evelyne, K., Alejandra, O., Lorena, G.U., Pierre, L.G.L. & Guillermina, B. 2018. Primary-amine surface functionalization of polytetrafluoroethylene films by radiation grafting of aminated polyacryloyl chloride. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 149: 65-72.

Moawia, R.M., Mahmoud, M.N., Mohamed, N.H. & Adnan, R. 2016. Modification of flax fibres by radiation induced emulsion graft copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 122: 35-42.

Mohd, N.H., David, J.T.H., Darren, M. & Lisbeth, G. 2012. Radiation-induced grafting of acrylic acid onto expanded poly (tetrafluoroethylene) membranes. Polymer 53(26): 6063-6071.

Nightingale, E.R. 1959. Phenomenological theory of ion solvation. Effective radii of hydrated ions. Journal of Physical Chemistry 63(9): 1381-1387.

Park, B.H., Joon, Y.S. & Junhwa, S. 2016a. Radiolytic preparation and characterization of hydrophilic poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinylsulfonate)-grafted porous poly (tetrafluoroethylene) substrates. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 118: 42-47.

Park, J.H., Yong, S.O., Seong, H.K., Ju, S.C., Jong, S.H., Ronald, D.D. & Dong, C.S. 2016b. Competitive adsorption of heavy metals onto sesame straw biochar in aqueous solutions. Chemosphere 142: 77-83.

Pauling, L. 1960. The Nature of the Chemical Bond - An Introduction to Modern Structural Chemistry. 3rd ed. New York: Cornell University Press.

Qian, Y., Lina, C., Weili, Z., Zhenjiang, Y., Zhongzhi, Z., Zhenjia, Z. & Zheng, J. 2016. Fabrication of TiO₂-modified polytetrafluoroethylene ultrafiltration membranes via plasma-enhanced surface graft pre-treatment. Applied Surface Science 360: 749-757.

Qin, Z., Jun, A., Qifeng, D., Jianguo, L. & Xiaoyan, Z. 2019. Superhydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene surfaces with accurately and continuously tunable water adhesion fabricated by pico second laser direct ablation. Materials and Design 173: 107782.

Seko, N., Hiroyuki, H., Noboru, K., Takuya, S., Seiichi, S. & Yuji, U. 2018. Development of a water purifier for radioactive cesium removal from contaminated natural water by radiation-induced graft polymerization. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 143: 33-37.

Selambakkannu, S., Nor, A.F.O., Khomsaton, A.B., Shakirah, A.S. & Zulhairun, A.K. 2018. A kinetic and mechanistic study of adsorptive removal of metal ions by imidazole-functionalized polymer graft banana fiber. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 153: 58-69.

Selin, Ş. & Serkan, E. 2018. Fast and highly efficient removal of 2,4-Dusing amino-functionalized poly (glycidyl methacrylate) adsorbent: Optimization, equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies. Journal of Molecular Liquids 260: 195-202.

Sh, A., Ahmed, G.I., Emad, M.E. & Essam, M. 2018. Radiation grafting of acrylamide and maleic acid on chitosan and effective application for removal of Co(II) from aqueous solutions. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 144: 116-124.

Shin, I.H., Seungkwan, H., Seung, J.L., Youn, S.S. & Tak, H.K. 2017. Surface modification of PVDF membrane by radiation-induced graft polymerization for novel membrane bioreactor. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry 46: 103-110.

Singha, A.S., Ashish, G. & Raj, K.R. 2014. Microwave assisted graft copolymerization of cellulosic fibers for removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization 19: 318-331.

Song, H., Hongwei, Y., Lijing, Z., Lixin, X., Dichao, W. & Hao, C. 2017. Durable hydrophilic surface modification for PTFE hollow fiber membranes. Reactive and Functional Polymers 114: 110-117.

Sun, S., Xiaolin, X., Hui, W., Yingfeng, W., Haiyan, P., Chengfu, Z., Yuesheng, L., Sheng, W. & Xingping, Z. 2018. Grafting polytetrafluoroethylene micropowder via in situ electron beam irradiation-induced polymerization. Polymers 10: 503.

Taimur, S., Muhammad, I., Tariq, Y. & Syed, W. 2018. Synthesis of modified sepiolite-g-polystyrene sulfonic acid nanohybrids by radiation induced graft polymerization. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 148: 19-24.

Wang, J., Chengcai, L., Feng, W., Bin, Y., Yunying, L., Huanzhong, Z. & Hailin, Z. 2019. Hydrophilic modification of PTFE microfiltration flat membrane by crosslinking OCMCS-PEI to enhance anti-fouling property. Progress in Organic Coatings 135(1): 565-573.

Wang, S., Juan, L., Jinping, S. & Tianzhi, Luo. 2010. Surface modification of porous poly(tetrafluoraethylene) film by a simple chemical oxidation treatment. Applied Surface Science 256(7): 2293-2298.

Wang, X., Pei, L., Fushu, L., Xuechun, W., Min, J. & Laizhou, S. 2018. Adsorption of Pb(II) by a polyvinylidene fluoride membrane bearing chelating poly(amino phosphonic acid) and poly(amino carboxylic acid) groups. Adsorption Science & Technology 36(9-10): 1571-1594.

Wu, C., Yudan, Z., Haitao, W., Jianhua, H. & Xiaoliang, W. 2019. Formation of antifouling functional coating from deposition of a zwitterionic-co-nonionic polymer via ‘grafting to’ approach. Journal of Saudi Chemical Society 23(8): 1080-1089.

Xu, H., Hengfeng, Y., Jianguo, Y. & Sen, L. 2019. Study on the competitive adsorption and correlational mechanism for heavy metal ions using the carboxylated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs-COOH) as efficient adsorbents. Applied Surface Science 473: 960-966.

Xu, Q., Yang, Y., Xiaozu, W., Zhaohui, W., Wanqin, J., Jun, H. & Yong, W. 2012. Atomic layer deposition of alumina on porous polytetrafluoroethylene membranes for enhanced hydrophilicity and separation performances. Journal of Membrane Science 415-416: 435-443.

Yang, L., Jun-Fu, W., Kong-Yin, Z. & Zi-An, L. 2013. Preparation of a hydrophilic PVDF membranes by electron beam induced grafting polymerization of acrylic acid. Advanced Materials Research 625: 273-276.

Yin, K., Haifeng, D., Zhi, L., Xinran, D. & Ji, A.D. 2018. Multifunctional micro/nano-patterned PTFE near-superamphiphobic surfaces achieved by a femtosecond laser. Surface and Coatings Technology 345: 53-60.

*Corresponding author; email: khaidzir@utm.my