Attachment of Polymer Films to Aluminium Surfaces by Photochemically Active Monolayers of Phosphonic Acids

Summary: We describe a simple photochemical process that allows the covalent attachment of a variety of different polymers at room temperature onto aluminium surfaces. The system is based on a photoreactive benzophenone derivative that is bound to aluminium surfaces by a phosphonic acid anchor. The synthesis of the phosphonic acid is described and the immobilization of this compound is studied by X‐ray photoelectron and FT‐IR spectroscopy. After deposition of the polymeric coating, UV light illumination at 365 nm, and solvent extraction of the substrate, polymer monolayers are obtained that are chemically bound to the surface. Covalent attachment of polymers to the aluminium‐bound benzophenone phosphonic acid. magnified image Covalent attachment of polymers to the aluminium‐bound benzophenone phosphonic acid.