OXIDATION OF LDPE IN PRESENCE OF AN AQUEOUS-SOLUTION OF PHENYLTRIMETHYL AMMONIUM PERMANGANATE

The oxidation of LDPE in an aqueous solution and at room temperature i s desirable if the original morphology of the polymer must be maintain ed. We have used the phenyltrimethyl ammonium permanganate (Ph. TMAP), prepared in our laboratory, as an oxidizing agent. The oxidation proc ess leads to the formation of polar groups (C=O, OH, etc.) mainly carb oxylate ions and quaternary ammonium hydroxides liberating MnO2 as a b y-product from the decomposition of the Ph. TMAP. The presence of the MnO2 was confirmed by ESCA (XPS), IR, as well as by chemical tests. Th e ESCA study shows an increase in the number of oxygen atoms absorbed as compared to the molar concentration of the oxidizing agent. The ten sile shear strength increases linearly with the molar concentration of the Ph. TMAP. A reaction mechanism of the LDPE oxidation at room temp erature and in an aqueous solution of Ph. TMAP is proposed.