Morphology,structure, and rheological property of linear low‐density polyethylene grafted with acrylic acid

The chain structure, spherulite morphology, and rheological property of LLDPE‐g‐AA were studied by using electronspray mass spectroscopy, ¹³C–NMR, and rheometer. Experimental evidence proved that AA monomers grafted onto the LLDPE backbone formed multiunit AA branch chains. It was found that AA branch chains could hinder movement of the LLDPE main chain during crystallization. Spherulites of LLDPE became more anomalous because of the presence of AA branch chains. Rheological behavior showed that AA branch chains could act as an inner plasticizer at the temperature range of 170–200°C, which made LLDPE‐g‐AA easy to further process. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2538–2544, 2001