Overview of the Use of Ozone in the Synthesis of New Polymers and the Modification of Polymers

Abstract

Ozone constitutes a convenient reagent to modify natural or synthetic polymers and to functionalize them with acid or hydroxyl groups. The synthesis of telechelic oligomers or copolymers starting from ozone pre-activated polymers has been explored by numerous authors. In a first part, the mechanisms of ozone attack onto polymers of different structures such as polyolefins, polydienes and polyaromatic polymers are developed and detailed. In a second part, the synthesis of well defined copolymers starting from ozonized polymers is described. Thus, the copolymerization of different monomers starting from the thermal decomposition of peroxides and hydroperoxides resulting from the ozonization of polymers, leads to different kinds of block and graft copolymers or telechelic oligomers. In a third part, the treatment of natural polymers is described since its permits to obtain new properties. At least, the chemical modification of polymer surfaces can be achieved by treating them with ozone that confers interesting surface properties.