Surface modification of low-density polyethylene films by UV-induced graftcopolymerization with a fluorescent monomer

Surface modification of argon plasma-pretreated low-density polyethylene (L DPE) film via UV-induced graft copolymerization with a fluorescent monomer, (pyrenyl)methyl methacrylate (Py)MMA, was carried out. The chemical compos ition and morphology of the (Py)MMA-graft-copolymerized LDPE [(Py)MM2A-g-LD PE] surfaces were characterized, respectively, by X-ray photoelectron spect roscopy (XPS) and by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The concentration of th e surface-grafted (Py)MMA polymer increased with Ar plasma pretreatment tim e and UV gran copolymerization time. The photophysical properties of the (P y)MMA-g-LDPE surfaces were measured by fluorescence spectroscopy. After gra ft copolymerization with the fluorescent monomer, the surface of the LDPE f ilm was found to have incorporated new and unique functionalities. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.