Greffage radiochimique de l'acrylonitrile dans la masse de films de PTFE

Acrylonitrole can be grafted in the bulk of PTFE films provided the monomer is allowed to diffuse into the grafted zones. For a given radiation dose, the amount of grafting is higher the lower the dose-rate. Even higher grafting efficiencies are reached under conditions of discontinuous irradiations, the reacting mixture being stored in the dark in a thermostat between successive irradiations. The grafting yield is higher the higher the storage temperature. The bulk grafting involves a progressive swelling of the grafted polyacrylonitrile branches by acrylonitrile monomer via a dipole-dipole association of the -CN groups of the monomer with the -CN groups in the polymer.