Since the Hermann Staudinger's proposal about the structure of large molecules published in 1920, during the course of his studies on the chemistry of rubber, and its Nobel Prize in 1953, polymers have undergone a fantastic development. At the present time they are present everywhere not only in our daily life but also in technological applications, for example, in automobile, avionics, and paints, and also in biomedical applications, for example, drug delivery system, biosensor devices, tissue engineering, cosmetics, etc. Nowadays, there are very few objects that do not include the presence of polymer(s). Research and industry have steadily increased the structures and properties of polymers order to adapt their properties to their uses. However, for a given polymer the chemical composition of the surface and therefore its properties are dictated by the chemical formula and structure of this polymer. In order to disconnect the properties of the surface from that of the bulk polymer, the surface must be modified.

Modification or functionalization of polymers refers to the introduction of different chemical groups onto its surfaces without changing its bulk properties. That is, the polymer retains its mechanical properties but gains novel surface properties. For example, it is possible that the surface of textiles are changed from partly hydrophilic to hydrophobic, and it is also possible, in the biomedical field, to attach new chemical functions that permit the adhesion and development of cells. Other applications include filtration membranes, the delivery of drugs, and packaging processes.

The surface of most polymers is quite unreactive, and activation by chemical or physical methods is required. This is the topic of this book. The editors and authors have tried to give an overall account of the very different and quite numerous methods that permit to modify and functionalize the surface of polymers.

Chapter 1 gives a description of “The Surface of Polymers” and discusses the different internal and external factors such as surrounding environment and chemical nature of polymers that influence surface properties.

The first part includes the different gas phase methods.

Chapter 2 “Surface Treatment of Polymers by Plasma” defines the different kinds of plasmas, discusses their composition and the way they are produced. In a second part of the chapter, the numerous different applications of plasmas for modifying the surface of polymers are described: adhesion improvements, packaging and textile applications, biomedical applications, and plasma grafting.

Chapter 3 “A Joint Mechanistic Description of Plasma Polymers Synthesized at Low and Atmospheric Pressure” focuses on the plasma polymerization technique that provides polymeric‐like thin films on the surface of the polymeric substrate. The conditions that permit the formation of these plasma polymers are examined altogether with the characterization of the plasma chemistry.

Chapter 4 is dedicated to “Organic Surface Functionalization by Initiated CVD (iCVD),” enabling the formation of polymers on the surfaces of the polymeric substrate. In this technique, vapor phase monomers are introduced along with initiators inside reactor chambers held at modest vacuum level and organic thin films deposit on a cooled surface. The different films that have been prepared are described including surfaces especially attractive for biomedical and sensing applications.

Chapter 5 describes “Atomic Layer Deposition and Vapor Phase Infiltration” methods. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a form of chemical vapor processing, in which vapor phase precursors are delivered sequentially to a substrate. When chemistries are properly selected, these precursors undergo self‐limited surface reactions that deposit a conformal coating onto a substrate. Vapor phase infiltration (VPI) is based on precursor sorption and diffusion into the polymeric material, embedding inorganic constituents into the subsurface of the polymer. Application of these techniques are numerous: improvement of mechanical performances and chemical resistance, creation of coated cotton fibers, contrasting agent vapor diffusion barriers, and hybrid photovoltaic cells.

The second part is devoted to UV and Related Methods.

Chapter 6 is devoted to the “Photoinduced Functionalization on Polymer Surfaces.” UV irradiation induces the functionalization of the surface of materials enabling a reaction between two polymers or to grow polymers from another one by self‐initiated photoinduced graft polymerization. Among others, application of photoinduced grafting process to artificial organs is provided.

Chapter 7 describes the “Surface Modification of Polymers,” by “γ‐Rays and Ions Irradiation.” These methods permit to graft polymeric chains to the surface of the treated polymer according to different procedures and chemical reactions (e.g. grafting‐from, grafting‐to). Different applications are described.

The third part examines the Chemical Methods that are used for the surface modification of polymers. The particularity of these reactions is the possibility of post‐functionalization to provide complex chemical structures attached to the surface of the polymer.

Chapter 8 is devoted to the “Functionalization of Polymers by Hydrolysis, Aminolysis, Reduction, Oxidation, and Some Related Reactions.” The conditions of these reactions on different polymers are examined altogether with some applications.

Chapter 9 relates on the “Functionalization of Polymers by Reaction of Radicals, Nitrenes, and Carbenes.” These very reactive species are very efficient for the surface modification of polymers and can be applied to many polymers more or less irrespective of their chemical structure. The methods used to create these species are reported as well as some applications.

Chapter 10 includes the “Surface Modification of Polymeric Substrates with Photo‐ and Sonochemically Designed Macromolecular Grafts.” It includes not only the different surface‐confined radical photopolymerization of vinylic monomers and conjugated polymers but also surface‐confined sonochemical polymerization of conjugated and vinylic monomers.

The fourth part is devoted to the different possible applications of these surface modifications.

Chapter 11 is dedicated to “Surface Modification of Nanoparticles: Methods and Applications.” It focusses on the use of polymeric carriers for which the diameter is in the order of ∼100 nm for drug delivery. It describes the different polymers that can be used as well as the methods employed to obtain nanoparticles and their use for drug delivery.

Chapter 12 describes “Surface Modification of Polymers for Food Science.” These modifications are mostly performed by plasmas‐based approach. The different polymers used in the food industry as well as their modifications are reported.

Chapter 13 reports on the “Surface Modification of Water Purification Membranes.” These membranes are mainly polymeric and can be modified by the different methods that permit functionalization, coating, or grafting.

Chapter 14 is dedicated to “Surface Modification of Polymer Substrates for Biomedical Applications.” These modifications can be performed by plasma or laser treatments, and the interaction of these surfaces with different cells is reported.

Careful characterization of the functionalized surfaces is mandatory after the different reactions described in this book; the authors have included many different methods that permit to ascertain the success of the modification and the structure of the modified films, many examples are reported.