SAXS INVESTIGATIONS OF POLYETHYLENE MODIFIED WITH METHACRYLIC-ACID

The polyethylene/poly(methacrylic acid-co-divinylbenzene), PE/poly(MA- co-DVB), interpolymer type carboxylic membranes were studied using sma ll-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXS) in order to deduce the effect of DVB content on their morphology. SAXS curves exhibit a maximum which indi cates that the interpolymers have morphology of domain type. Using the standard theory for a two-phase system mean distance between domains and their sizes were calculated from the SAXS data. Analysis of the SA XS curves suggests a fractal behaviour of the internal surface, associ ated with this two-phase system. Results obtained from SAXS studies ar e consistent with the general model of these interpolymers revealed by microscopic investigations.