Immobilization of poly(ethylene oxide) on polyethylene using a plasma-induced graft copolymerization process

A radio-frequency glow discharge induced graft copolymerization process has prepared a PAAc-grafted PE film in this present study. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was then covalently immobilized onto PAAc-grafted PE film by a chemical coupling reaction. Carboxylic groups were introduced onto the surface of PE film by exposing the film to an Ar plasma, and the plasma-treated film was then next reacted with a 50% acrylic acid aqueous solution. These functional groups were reacted with bisamino PEO by a coupling agent CMC. ESCA, IR, and water contact angle studies were conducted for characterizing the surfaces of these films during the varied stages of the reaction. Increasing the molecular weight of the PEO attached to the PAAc-grafted PE resulted in an increased wettability of the films. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.