Graft copolymerization of methacrylic acid onto isotactic polypropylene by radiochemical methods

Graft copolymerization of methacrylic acid onto isotactic polypropylene has been studied in water-methanol medium using gamma-rays as the source of initiation. Graft copolymerization has been conducted by (1) mutual irradiation, (2) preirradiation, and (3) double irradiation methods. All of the reaction parameters that seem to influence grafting have been studied, and the optimum conditions leading to maximum percentage of grafting have been evaluated. A plausible mechanism for radiation-induced grafting of methacrylic acid onto polypropylene has been suggested, and the results have been explained on the basis of the proposed mechanism. A comparative study of graft copolymerization by different radiation methods has been made, and it was observed that the preirradiation method affords the best results. Evidence of grafting has been obtained from differential scanning calorimetric analysis and the dyeing behavior of the grafted material. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.