Melt grafting of 10-undecenoic acid onto linear low density polyethylene

The melt grafting of 10-undecenoic acid (UA) onto a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) was studied. The grafting reaction was performed in a thermoplastic mixer and 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy) hexane was used as initiator. The concentration of UA and peroxide ranged from 1 to 4% (w/w) and 0.025 to 0.1% (w/w), respectively. Evidence of the grafting of UA as well as its extent was determined by FTIR. Experimental results showed that the amount of UA grafted increases with both the UA and initiator concentrations. However, the greatest efficiency of grafting was found at the lowest concentration of UA investigated. The grafting efficiency ranged from 8 to 40%. The dynamic linear viscoelastic properties of the original polymer and the grafted materials were evaluated at different frequencies at 160°C using a dynamic rotational rheometer. The modification process affected the melt elasticity and viscosity of the LLDPE. When the original polymer was modified only with peroxide both properties increased with respect to those of the original material. However, when UA was grafted onto LLDPE, the resulting polymers displayed values of elastic moduli and viscosity lower than those of the polymer modified with peroxide. Moreover, when a concentration of 4% of UA was used, the values of those properties were even lower than those corresponding to the original LLDPE. These observations combined with the data obtained from the GPC results suggest that scission reactions may be favored by the presence on UA. In contrast with previous observations, the thermal properties measured by DSC were only slightly altered. The fusion temperature of the modified polymers was slightly lower than that corresponding to the original polymer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2303–2311, 2004