Preparation of photoluminescent grafted polymers, having a polyethylene matrix and pyrene units linked via oligo(ethylene glycol) spacers, using gamma radiation

New polymers were prepared by grafting of low density polyethylene films (PE). Firstly, PE was reacted with acryloyl chloride in the presence of gamma radiation to give the precursor grafted polymers (PE-g-AC). These polymers were further esterified with a new pyrene derivative having a tetra (ethylene glycol) side chain, [2-(2-(2-(2-(pyren-1-yloxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)ethan-1-ol] (PyTEG), leading to the obtainment of a series of luminescent polymers bearing pyrene units (PE-g-AC-PyTEG). The influence of the irradiation dose on the structure and the percentage of grafting of the produced polymers has been studied in detail. These materials have been characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, and their thermal properties have been determined by TGA and DSC. The optical properties of the grafted polymers have been studied by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. •Luminescent grafted polymers containing pyrene and PEG groups were prepared.•These polymers showed mainly monomer emission and no excimer emission.•This method allows the obtainment of a precursor polymer easy to modify.