RADIATION GRAFTING OF ACRYLIC AND METHACRYLIC ACIDS ONTO TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE-HEXAFLUOROPROPYLENE-VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE) TFB FILMS

A study has been made for the preparation of membranes by the direct r adiation grafting of acrylic and methacrylic acids onto tetrafluoroeth ylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride) TFB films. The appropri ate reaction conditions were selected under which the graft polymeriza tion was carried out successfully. In this grafting system, ammonium f errous sulfate (Mohr's salt), ferric chloride, and cuppric chloride we re used as inhibitors to minimize the homopolymerization of acrylic ac id and methacrylic acid. Also, the effect of monomer concentration on the rate of grafting was investigated. The dependence of the grafting rate on monomer concentration was found to be of the order of 1.1 and 1.0 for acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, respectively. This grafting system was proceeded by a front mechanism. Some selected properties o f the grafted films such as swelling behavior, dimensional change, and mechanical and electrical properties were investigated. It was found that the grafted membranes possess good hydrophilic properties that ma y make them promising in some practical applications.