GRAFT-POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLIC-ACID AND METHACRYLIC-ACID ONTO RADIATION-PEROXIDIZED POLYETHYLENE FILM IN PRESENCE OF METALLIC SALT AND SULFURIC-ACID

Using the radiation peroxide grafting technique, a low density polyeth ylene film was graft copolymerized with acrylic acid and methacrylic a cid in the presence of additives such as acid and metallic salts. The effect of acid and metallic salts on the grafting yield and reaction m echanisms were examined. The results showed that the inclusion of an a ppropriate cationic salt and acid in acrylic acid and methacrylic acid grafting solutions was extremely beneficial and led to a most unusual enhancement effect in the radiation grafting. On the other hand, incl usion of acid in the grafting solution in the absence of cationic salt s led to a negative effect on the grafting reaction. It is considered that sulfuric acid accelerates the decomposition of hydroperoxides in the presence of a metallic salt such as Fe2+ to form radicals that can initiate a grafting reaction. Of the metallic salts for inhibiting ho mopolymerization, only oxidized metallic salts produced the high graft ing yield of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.