Modification of Polyacrylonitrile Films by Hydroxylamine and Hydrazine Treatment

Abstract

Modification of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) films by using hydroxylamine (HA) and hydrazine to produce hydroxyl and amine groups, respectively, and to introduce cross-linking of PAN polymers was studied. Modified PAN films obtained by HA and/or hydrazine treatment including a successive or a simultaneous process were analyzed by the degree of conversion, water and N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF) swelling ratio, FUR spectra, atom content, and thermal analysis data. PAN films reacted with HA showed increased hydrophilicity and low dimensional stability in water. Hydrazine treatment gave PAN films high dimensional stability of low DMF swelling. Although the DMF swelling ratio of the modified PAN films was dramatically decreased by the successive treatment of hydrazine and HA, the introduction of the hydrophilic functional groups was limited due to the cross-linking. Simultaneous treatment of HA and hydrazine was the most effective method to increase hydrophilicity of PAN films with a high dimensional stability.