SURFACE MODIFICATION OF POLYVINYL-CHLORIDE WITH BIODEGRADABLE MONOMERS

Graft copolymerization of sucrose acrylate (SA) onto 55 mu m films of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was investigated with benzophenone or 2,2'- azoisobutironitrile as the initiator. The grafting reactions were carr ied out in a closed cell containing the films to be treated with a sol ution of the sensitizer and the monomer. In this system, ultraviolet l ight through a quartz window initiated the reaction by exciting the in itiator used. The grafting took place on a PVC surface layer, from the solution. The homopolymer formed during copolymerization was removed by washing. The percentage of grafting was determined by gravimetric m easurements and by dye adsorption (crystal violet), and the characteri zation of PVC(g)SA was carried out by the use of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric ana lysis. The weathering behavior of PVC(g)SA was studied with microorgan isms in a growing medium, and the degradation was monitored by the wei ght loss of the films, FTIR, and SEM. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.