Graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate on the surface of poly(ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene) using benzoyl peroxide as initiator

Abstract

The surface of a poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) film was modified by benzoyl peroxide (BPO)-initiated graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). After graft polymerization, the appearance of the ETFE film changed considerably, and the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra showed absorption peaks attributed to carbonyl functionalities. The efficiency of graft polymerization was strongly influenced by several factors such as the reaction temperature, reaction time, and concentration of BPO. The highest graft yield (69%) was obtained at 0.1 mol% BPO concentration and at a reaction temperature of 75 C for 24 h. The properties of the ETFE film surface were altered by the graft polymerization of MMA, which facilitated dyeing of the surface.