Low-density polyethylene modified by thermal polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine and methyl methacrylate: Structural studies

The structures of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) modified by in situ sorption and thermal polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) and of methyl methacrylate (MMA) were studied. The phase behavior of these materials was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and by thermal measurements (DSC). The diffraction studies indicated that the polymerization occurs at the amorphous domains of the matrix, except for the case of 4VP (168.0%), in which polymerization at the crystalline domains of LDPE matrix was also observed. These materials showed at least two T_g values, indicating microphase separation. The morphology of LDPE-P4VP was different from that of LDPE-PMMA.