RADIATION-INDUCED GRAFT-COPOLYMERIZATION OF 2-HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE ONTO POLY(GAMMA-METHYL-L-GLUTAMATE) MEMBRANE IN ETHANOL SOLUTION

The radiation-induced graft copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacr ylate (HEMA) onto poly(gamma-methyl-L-glutamate)membranes was investig ated in ethanol. The effects of dose, dose rate, concentration of HEMA , and temperature on the degree of grafting were studied. The initial rate of grafting copolymerization shows the following functional relat ionship equation: dG(0)/dt = k[M](0)(D) over dot(0.56). The average va lues of the apparent constants at 27 and 37 degrees C for the initial rates of grafting are k(1) = 51 and k(2) = 91 G%h(-0.44) kGy(-0.56) mo l(-1) L, respectively. The apparent activation energy of grafting copo lymerization is E = 10.7 kcal/mol. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.