2010 Volume 59 Issue 6 Pages 477-488
The surface modification of poly(butylene terephthalate) by ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation was investigated using near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). The carbon K-edge and oxygen K-edge NEXAFS spectra were drastically changed by UV irradiation. The obtained NEXAFS spectra after UV irradiation were compared with those of some molecules containing carbonyl, carboxylic, ester, and anhydride groups. The spectral features obtained by a UV irradiated PBT surface were analogous to those of pyromellitic dianhydride containing an anhydride group. The IRRAS spectra of PBT surfaces were also changed by UV irradiation. The changes showed the disappearance of an alkyl chain and structural changing of ester bonds by UV irradiation. These results indicated that the alkyl chains and ester bonds in PBT are removed by UV irradiation, and that anhydride groups were formed on a UV irradiated PBT surface.
