Solvatochromism as an alternative for contact angle measurements in the characterisation of modified polymer surfaces

Polyolefine surfaces have been pre-treated by UV/ozone and UV/water methods. The increase in polar groups on a polymer surface and the contribution of these polar groups to the adhesion of the polymer has been investigated by using contact angles and tensile strength tests. Because contact angle measurements do not give information about the specific polar groups on the surface we have used solvatochromic analyses to identify specific polar groups. The results showed that solvatochromic analyses is a promising method to discriminate between different kinds of polar groups and therefore solvatochromic surface characterisation may become an important surface analytical tool in adhesive technology.