Radiation-induced grafting of stimuli-responsive binary monomers: PDMAEMA/PEGMEMA onto PP films

Both poly2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA) were radiation grafted onto polypropylene films (PP) using gamma radiation from a ⁶⁰Co source. PP was pre-irradiated by gamma ray for modification following by grafted PDMAEMA and PEGMEMA by a one step method. Grafting was studied as a function of the pre-irradiation dose between 20 and 180 kGy, dose rate of 10.4 kGy/h, and monomer concentration 50% of PDMAEMA/PEGMEMA (1/1) in different solvents (toluene, acetone, and methanol). FTIR-ATR, TGA, and DSC were carried out in the characterization of the graft copolymer obtained. Stimuli-responsive behavior and critical pH point were studied by swelling in water. pH and thermo-responsive films of PE-g-(DMAEMA/PEGMEMA) presented a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 50 °C and critical pH point around 8.7.