SONOCHEMICALLY-ASSISTED MODIFICATION OF POLYETHYLENE SURFACES

The oxidation of polyethylene surfaces with a range of mild oxidizing agents enhanced by the use of ultrasound is described. The use of sono chemical methods allows significant levels of surface modification to be achieved using oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide and persu lfate salts around ambient temperatures under mild conditions. Changes in the water contact angle and attenuated total reflection IR spectro scopy were used to follow the changes in surface chemistry. Variation of the experimental conditions such as treatment time and sound intens ity allowed control over the extent and nature of the surface oxidatio n. Although the changes achieved with laboratory equipment are relativ ely slow, more significant effects could be obtained at higher ultraso und intensities.