The grafting of hydrophilic monomers from the surface of PVC films and complex geometries, such as tubing, was executed by a novel two-step process: physisorption of a hydrophobic free radical initiator onto a polymer surface followed by radical polymerization with hydrophilic monomers. The key step is creating a hydrophobic/hydrophilic diffusional barrier that promotes radical generation upon heating at the polymer surface. Transmission infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface wettability and capillary rise, gravimetric analysis, UV-vis spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography were utilized to prove successful covalent grafting of poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate), poly(dimethylacrylamide), poly(hyd roxyethylacry late), poly(d i methyla m i noethyl methacryl ate), poly(acrylic acid), and poly(4-vinyl pyridine). (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.