SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYETHYLENE FILM GRAFTED WITH ACRYLIC-ACID AND DIETHYLENEGLYCOL-DIMETHACRYLATE

Acrylic acid (AA) and diethyleneglycol-dimethacrylate (DEGDM) are graf ted onto 25 mum low-density radio-peroxided polyethylene. Monomer cont ent is determined by exchange capacity measurements. Studies of electr ical resistance and zero-current membrane potential allow for the dete rmination of the influence of DEGDM on both the dissociation of grafte d AA and the permselectivity of these so-obtained cation-exchange memb ranes. DEGDM, acting as a crosslinking agent, limits the AA degree of grafting, slightly increases the electrical resistance, but contribute s to enhance the permselectivity. For example, when these grafted film s are immersed in 3M NaCl aqueous solutions, the addition of DEGDM lea ds to an increase of the transport number of Na+ close to 20%. (C) 199 3 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.