Vibrational spectroscopic characterization of ethylene-co-vinyl cinnamate copolymers before and after UV exposure

Vibrational spectroscopic studies of a series of ethylene-co-vinyl cinnamat e (EVCIN) copolymers, before and after exposure to UV radiation, are report ed. The purpose of these studies is to determine whether or not significant reaction (photo-crosslinking) of the cinnamate groups in EVCIN copolymers occurs upon UV exposure in the solid state as the concentration (fraction) of cinnamate groups is systematically reduced. By increasing the ethylene c oncentration in the EVCIN copolymers the cinnamate groups are "diluted" and progressively spaced apart in the copolymer. Somewhat surprisingly, we Fmd that an EVCIN copolymer containing only 5 mole % vinyl cinnamate still und ergoes a facile crosslinking in the solid state upon UV exposure.