Modification of chitosan onto PE by irradiation in salt solutions and possible use as Cu2+ complex film for pest snail control

Chitosan‐grafted‐polyethylene (CS‐g‐PE) film was prepared using simultaneous radiation‐inducing grafting technique. The copper ion (Cu²⁺) adsorptivity on the CS‐g‐PE film was determined. The CS‐hydroxybenzyltriazole (CS‐HOBt), CS‐N‐hydroxysuccinimide (CS‐NHS), CS‐acetic acid (CS‐HOAc), and CS‐glutathione (CS‐GSH) were used as CS‐salts in aqueous solutions. Among these grafting solution systems, the CS‐g‐PE film prepared from CS‐HOBt solution showed the greatest grafting amount and highest Cu²⁺ adsorptivity, up to 30.2% (1.51 ppm, 7.56 µg cm^?2). The effects of the CS‐HOBt concentration and mixing solution on the grafting amount were also observed to clarify their efficacies to assist radiation‐induced grafting reaction. SEM/EDS mapping, ICP and XRF were used to clarify the Cu²⁺ adsorption capacity of the CS‐g‐PE film and the stability of Cu²⁺ on the CS‐g‐PE complex film. The Cu²⁺ showed its stability on the CS‐g‐PE film at room temperature in neutral and basic solutions. The Cu²⁺‐‐‐CS‐g‐PE complex film reduced pest snail breeding as high as 54%. The success of this observation is a new approach to modify PE surface with a functional biopolymer, CS containing Cu²⁺ complex for controlling pest snail breeding. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41204.