THE INFLUENCE OF OLEIC ACID AND BENZOYL PEROXIDE AGAINST OLEIC ACID GRAFTED ONTO LLDPE

In this study, the graft copolymerization of oleic acid (OA) onto linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) was successfully prepared by free radical reaction using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) initiator in the molten state. The study aims to determine the influence of OA monomer and BPO initiator on the grafting degree (GD) percentage of LLDPE-g-OA and its characteristics. LLDPE, OA, and BPO were mixed in an internal mixer, purified using acetone and methanol to separate from the unreacted OA and the OA homopolymer. The results showed that the addition of 12 wt% of OA monomer and 5 wt% of BPO initiator achieved the maximum GD percentage. The presence of a small band at 1707.1 cm-1, which is the OA carbonyl group, indicated that OA had been grafted onto LLDPE. LLDPE-g-OA also displayed better thermal stability than neat LLDPE and has a melting point of 123 °C. There were significant morphological changes and increased mass percentage of elemental carbon after the OA monomer grafting onto LLDPE.