A Novel Crosslinker for Polyolefinic Thin Surface Coatings By Surface Initiated Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) is a very emerging method of polymerization and is being researched intensively due to its benefits over current commercial polymerization methods. Surface initiated ring opening metathesis polymerization provides precise control over the properties of the surface coatings like thickness, rate of polymerization and surface density. But degradation of these films has been observed upon brief exposure to organic solvents in air. The root cause of degradation is the alternate carbon-carbon double bond in the polymer chains on the surface which are susceptible to rapid auto oxidation at these potential sites. Polymer chains break ultimately decreasing the thickness or density of surface coating. Here we have developed a crosslinker which can be introduced during Si-ROMP in very low concentration so as not affecting the intended properties of the coatings but also strengthening it. We have optimized the structure, size and concentration of crosslinker based on the general properties of Si-ROMP coatings of Polynorbornene. These coatings were characterized with and without crosslinker by contact angle goniometry, grazing angle reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Stability was also checked against organic solvent in air before and after introduction of crosslinker.