| Abstract: | Graft copolymerization of 4-vinyl pyridine (4-VP) and methyl acrylate (MA) onto polyethylene (PE) was studied in aqueous medium in air by the mutual irradiation method. The percentage of grafting was determined as a function of the (i) total dose, (ii) monomer concentration, and (iii) amount of water. The effect of different alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, and pentanol on the percentage of grafting of 4-VP and MA was studied. The effects of different amines on the percentage of grafting of 4-VP were also studied. The graft copolymers were characterized by IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis and by identifying the isolated polymer from the grafted film. Grafted PE film was tested for permeability behavior and was found to be permeable to a 0.5% aqueous sodium chloride solution. A plausible mechanism is suggested to explain the grafting of 4-VP and MA onto PE film. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 599–610, 1998 |
