EFFECT OF REACTION CONDITIONS ON THE GRAFTING OF 2-(DIMETHYLAMINO)ETHYL METHACRYLATE ONTO HYDROCARBON SUBSTRATES

The grafting of 2- (dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) onto tw o model hydrocarbons, squalane and n-eicosane, and to linear low densi ty polyethylene (LLDPE) has been investigated. The results of the stud y indicate that a high reaction temperature, 160-degrees-C, and a low concentration of monomer, less than 0.3 M, are optimum conditions for the grafting reaction. Reaction products, which consisted of grafted h ydrocarbons and poly(DMAEMA), were separated by solvent extraction and vacuum distillation; samples were then analyzed by NMR and FTIR spect roscopy and size exclusion chromatography. H-1-NMR spectroscopy indica tes that grafted squalane contained approximately 6 DMAEMA units per s qualane residue. H-1- and C-13-NMR and molecular weight studies strong ly suggest that the grafts onto the model hydrocarbons consist of sing le DMAEMA units. Results of the melt grafting of DMAEMA onto LLDPE sho w that the grafting efficiency and degree of grafting are substantiall y lower than were expected from the model system. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.