TY - JOUR AU - Sarfraz, Muhammad AU - Asghar, Syed Mughees AU - Mamoor, Ghulam Mustafa AU - Qaiser, Asif Ali PY - 2011/09/30 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Effects of Particle Surface Area on Free-Radical Grafting of Low Density Polyethylene JF - Journal of the Pakistan Institute of Chemical Engineers JA - JPIChE VL - 39 IS - 1 SE - Articles DO - UR - http://piche.org.pk/journal/index.php/jpiche/article/view/43 SP - 9-15 AB - <em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: ";Times New Roman";,";serif";; mso-fareast-font-family: ";Times New Roman";; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">To improve its surface functionality, monomers containing functional groups such as methacrylic acid and styrene were grafted on low density polyethylene (LDPE). The co-monomers were immobilized on the LDPE chains by free-radical grafting initiated by benzoyl peroxide. Various particle sizes of LDPE were used to investigate the effects of surface area of base LDPE on the grafting extent and resultant properties of the copolymer. The grafted LDPE was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, mechanical testing, differential scanning calorimetry and melt flow index measurement. FTIR spectra showed the successful grafting of methacrylic acid and styrene on LDPE chains. The melting transition temperature and mechanical properties increased due to the incorporation of functional side chains on LDPE. This study also shows the significant effect of the particle size of base LDPE on the grafting extent and resultant properties of the copolymer.</span></em> ER -