| Abstract: | The radiation-induced grafting polymerization of phenylacetylene and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine (2M-5VPy) onto low-density polyethylene has been investigated under strict identical conditions, using crude and thoroughly dried monomers. In the case of thoroughly dried monomers, the radiation-induced grafting is performed by the combined (radical + anionic) mechanism. The kinetics of radical and anionic grafting of 2M-5VPy are investigated in detail. The activation energies are 4.8 ± 0.3 and ?2.7 ± 0.3 kcal/mole for the radical and anionic grafting, respectively. The initial rate of grafting is approximately proportional to the dose rate to the 0.47 ± 0.03 and 0.92 ± 0.03 power for the radical and anionic grafting, respectively. The initial rate of grafting is approximately proportional to monomer concentration to the 1.55 ± 0.05 and 2.1 ± 0.05 power for the radical and anionic grafting, respectively. These data conform to the contribution of the anionic mechanism in a thoroughly dried system. The mechanism of radiation-induced anionic grafting is discussed. |
