US Patent 7585550 Process for modifying polymeric surfaces using deep UV irradiation

A process is described for modifying polymeric surfaces. The process is particularly useful for modification of polyesters, and can be used to impart surface functionality that confers antimicrobial, anti-soiling, or other desirable properties to the polymer. The process comprises the steps of exposing a polymeric substrate to deep UV irradiation, followed by reaction with a grafting agent. In preferred embodiments, a vapor-phase grafting agent undergoes covalent reactions with the UV-modified polymer surface to produce a polymer with improved properties.