Oxidation of LDPE in the molten state in the presence of tetrabutyl ammonium permanganate and potassium permanganate

Of the various oxidizing agents available, never have the tetrabutyl ammoni um permanganate or the potassium permanganate been used for the oxidation o f polyolefins in the molten state. The effects of time and temperature on t he oxidation reaction were studied using an internal mixer. The reaction wa s performed in the presence of traces of hexadecyl alcohol as an accelerato r, In certain cases, biphenyl was used as a compatibilizing agent in the mo lten state, The oxidized polyethylene was purified by solubilization in ord er to eliminate the MnO2 formed from the reaction between KMnO4, tetrabutyl ammonium permanganate, and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), The presence o f MnO2 was confirmed by chemical tests and by electron spectroscopy for che mical analysis (ESCA).