Grafting of acrylic acid onto corona-treated polyethylene surfaces

Peroxides formed on the surface by corona treatment of low‐density polyethylene film can be used to initiate grafting of polar vinyl monomers such as acrylic acid. Different types of peroxides are probably formed on the surface, but at least hydroperoxides could be detected by XPS analysis. The grafting reaction was carried out directly after corona treatment, by placing the corona‐treated film above a solution of acrylic acid heated to 100°C. The grafting reaction takes place in a vapor phase of the monomer. After extracting the reacted films with hot methanol and drying, surface analysis by XPS, IR, and contact angle measurements were carried out. Effect of degree of corona treatment and reaction time have been studied. The conclusion from this work is that acrylic acid in vapor phase can successfully be grafted onto corona‐treated polyethylene film by this method. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.