ORGANOMETALLIC POLYMERS .5. SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF METALLOCENE-MODIFIED POLYMERS

The reaction of metallocenes with solutions of polydienes and halogenated polymers, under Friedel‐Crafts conditions, has now been applied to the surface modification of solid polymer films. The reaction of ferrocene with chlorinated polyethylene films appears to proceed by a fast substitution step followed by a slower diffusion‐controlled step. The stress–strain curves of surface‐modified films, as well as of solution‐cast polymetallocene films, have been examined by means of a bursting‐strength apparatus. The weathering behavior of metallocene‐modified polymers has been studied in both natural and accelerated conditions. Studies on the effect of ageing on composition and properties by spectrophotometric and mechanical measurements indicate that the photooxidative resistance of polymers is improved significantly by metallocene modification. Additionally, modified films have been found to be effective as clear shields for the protection of vulnerable substrates against photodegradation. The observed darkening of the irradiated films could be due to a thermal reaction between metallocene and photolytically generated macroperoxides. Copyright © 1978 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.