A simple and efficient polymer grafting onto hydrothermal carbonization (HTC)-derived materials is described. The method pertains to the Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction of furan moieties present on the surface of a HTC material with the maleimide groups stemming from a maleimide protected poly(ethylene glycol) (Me-PEG-MI) by a retro Diels-Alder reaction. The precursor polymer, HTC material, and final product are characterized. Successful grafting is confirmed by elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and dispersion studies.
Keywords: Diels-Alder cycloaddition; PEGylation; hydrothermal carbonization; surface modification.
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