Radiation grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate onto poly(vinyl chloride) tubes

Abstract

Poly(ethylene glycol)methacrylate (PEGMA) was grafted onto poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) tubes by pre-irradiation in presence of air using a gamma-ray source. The effects of monomer concentration, pre-irradiation dose from 5 to 150 kGy, dose rate, reaction time between 4 and 24 h, and reaction temperature were investigated. Highest grafting degree obtained was 14%. The grafting process was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, swelling and water contact angle. © 2007 VSP.