Monomer dependence of radiation graft polymerization. V. Poly(ethylene-g-4-vinylpyridine)

The radiation-initiated graft polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine to high-density polyethylene has been studied under diffusion-free conditions by the mutual irradiation technique. The reaction rate is 1/2 order in radiation intensity over the range 0.00076–0.011 Mrad/hr. The reaction rate is first order in monomer at 0.00076 Mrad/hr, over the complete range of monomer concentrations; at 0.021 Mrad/hr, up to 60 vol % monomer; and at 0.21 Mrad/hr, up to 50 vol % monomer.