Oxidation of polypropylene homopolymer in the molten state in presence of air

The oxidation of polypropylene (PP) homopolymer in air was performed using dodecanol-1 as an accelerator. The experiments were conducted under atmosph eric pressure at 180-220 degrees C. Spectroscopic data indicated the format ion of polar groups such as ketones, esters, alcohols, anhydrides etc. as d etermined by FTIR and ESCA. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed t he variations of morphology of the oxidation products. The fusion temperatu res were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The variati ons of solubility of PPO as compared with the original PP were investigated in solvents such as MEK, THF, and toluene. Surface tension and molecular weights were determined by tensiometry and ge l premeation chromatography (GPC), The melt flow index (MFI) of different s amples were determined.