Radical and radiation-induced grafting of some synthetic high polymers within the temperature range of their glass transition

The temperature dependence of radiation-induced grafting onto poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyamides, polyacrylonitrile, and polypropylene has been investigated for several monomers. In all cases a maximum grafting yield is obtained when the reaction is performed in the temperature range of the glass transition T_g of the polymer used. This maximum yield does not only appear with radiation-induced simultaneous grafting. It also appears when the graft polymerization is induced by pre-irradiation or even by thermal decomposition of organic peroxides. It is assumed that the pronounced maximum of the reactivity at T_g is obtained because in the glassy state below T_g the radicals formed cannot react due to a reduced diffusion of the monomer, whereas above T_g the number of radicals available for polymerization will be reduced with increasing temperature.