Functionalization of polyolefins with maleic anhydride in melt state through ultrasonic initiation

The functionalization reaction of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), linearly low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene (PP) and EPDM rubber with maleic anhydride (MAH) in melt state through ultrasonic initiation was studied. The effect of ultrasonic intensity on the percentage of grafting, viscosity-average molecular weight, melt flow rate and gel content of the functionalized products were investigated by means of chemical titration, Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), intrinsic viscosity and melt flow rate, etc. The molecular structures of the functionalized products prepared via ultrasonic initiation and via peroxide initiation were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The results show that the functionalization reaction of HDPE, LLDPE and EPDM with MAH can be realized by ultrasonic initiation. This reaction mainly consists of the chain scission under ultrasonic irradiation, the end chain reaction of the produced macroradicals with MAH, and the terminated reaction of the produced succinyl radicals with the macroradicals or H* radicals through recombination or dismutation. The functionalized product through ultrasonic initiation mainly consists of the products containing an anhydride ring attached to the chain terminus. And the products prepared through peroxide initiation mainly contain an anhydride ring grafted on the side chain.