Visualization of Chemical Modification of Pore Internal Surfaces Using Fluorescence Microscopy

Chemical modification of pore internal surfaces with 0.31 and 0.54 (mu)m in diameter in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was examined using the alkylation reaction of the carboxylic acids on the surfaces. The chemical incorporation of the reagent on the surfaces was confirmed by the fluorescence microscope images of the membranes reacting with the alkylation reagent bearing a pyrene fluorophore.