Grafting of iPP powder with methacrylate monomers in water medium

The grafting of different methacrylates on iPP in the solid state has been studied under various reaction conditions using a radical initiation. Three peroxides and five grafting agents representing methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, ethyl hexyl-, and dodecyl methacrylate were tested. The grafting efficiency (GE) performed in water medium (slurry) as possible heat transfer medium was compared with the GE obtained without using water. The iPP powder was first impregnated with monomer and peroxide initiator and then water solution of NaCl was added. Obtained GEs were much higher for all peroxides and monomers used when compared with GE performed without water. Quantity of grafted monomer was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The products were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and surface energies of grafted iPP films were measured.