Graft Copolymerization of HEMA on LLDPE films activated by low-energy electrons

Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) grafted linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) films were prepared via pre-treatment method. The non-polar LLDPE films were activated by low-energy electron beam (EB) treatment in vacuum and air at room temperature. The influence of the atmosphere during the EB activation of LLDPE films at fixed dose rate and dose per pass on the grafting process at room temperature were studied at well-selected grafting conditions. Non-polar LLDPE and polar HEMA were selected due to their significant differences in polarity and surface energy. After identification of the optimum atmosphere during low-energy EB activation of LLDPE films, the influence of well-known grafting parameters such as temperature and solvent was studied. The grafting effect of the EB pre-treatment method was investigated by the Relative Grafting Yield (RGY), the static contact angle measurement, the Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Thermogravimetric analysis. •Water contact angle on LLDPE depends on the pre-treatment atmosphere•Pre-treatment in vacuum has no influence on water contact angle on LLDPE•Contact angle of grafting solution on LLDPE depends on pre-treatment atmosphere•Relative grafting yield depends on pre-treatment atmosphere, dose and temperature•At a temperature of 60 °C enhanced grafting yield is observed without any swelling

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