Adsorption of polyethylene from solution onto starch film surfaces

We prepared starch films by jet‐cooking aqueous dispersions of high‐amylose starch and then allowing the jet‐cooked dispersions to air‐dry on Teflon surfaces. When the starch films were immersed in 1% solutions of polyethylene (PE) in 1‐dodecanol, dodecane, and xylene at 120°C and the solutions were allowed to slowly cool, PE precipitated from the solutions and adsorbed onto the starch film surfaces. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to estimate the micrograms of PE adsorbed per square centimeter of starch film. PE was preferentially adsorbed onto the film side that was in contact with the Teflon surface during drying. The amount of PE adsorbed ranged from about 8 to 45 μg/cm² and depended upon the solvent used and the final temperature of the cooled solution. Scanning electron microscopy of the starch film surfaces showed discontinuous networks of adsorbed PE on the Teflon side and widely spaced nodules of adsorbed PE on the air side. NMR analysis showed that the PE adsorbed onto the starch surface was more linear and/or had a higher molecular weight than the starting PE. Possible reasons for the selective adsorption of PE onto the Teflon side of the starch film surface are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Gas permeability and permselectivity of plasma‐treated polyethylene membranes

The effects of NH₃‐plasma and N₂‐plasma treatments on rubbery polyethylene (PE) membranes on the permeation behavior for carbon dioxide (CO₂), O₂, and N₂ were investigated with permeability measurements. The NH₃‐plasma and N₂‐plasma treatments on PE membranes increased both the permeation coefficient for CO₂ and the ideal separation factor for CO₂ with respect to N₂. For O₂ transport, both the permeation coefficient for O₂ and the ideal separation factor for O₂ with respect to N₂ were increased. NH₃‐plasma and N₂‐plasma treatments on polymer membranes possibly bring about an augmentation of permeability and permselectivity simultaneously. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 383–387, 2006     

Adsorption and desorption properties of grafted polyethylene films modified with polyethylenimine chains

The chelating membranes for adsorption of metal ions were prepared by the bonding of linear and branched polyethylenimines (LPEI and BPEI) on the glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) photografted porous polyethylene (pPE) (pPE‐g‐PGMA) films. The adsorption and desorption properties of LPEI and BPEI‐bonded pPE‐g‐PGMA (LPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA) and (BPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA)) films to Cu²⁺ ions were investigated as a function of the grafted amount, amount of bonded PEI, molecular mass of PEI, pH value, and temperature. The amounts of LPEI and BPEI bonded to the pPE‐g‐PGMA films increased over the reaction time, and the bonding of LPEI and BPEI offered the water‐absorptivity to the pPE‐g‐PGMA films. The amount of adsorbed Cu²⁺ ions at pH 5.0 had the maximum value at the grafted amount of 10 mmol/g for the (LDPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA) and (BPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA) films with a constant amount of bonded PEI. The amount of adsorbed Cu²⁺ ions for the LPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA) films was higher than that for the BPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA) films. The amount of Cu²⁺ ions desorbed from the LPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA) and BPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA) films increased with an increase in the HCl concentration. The quantities of Cu²⁺ ions of about 100% were desorbed in the aqueous HCl solutions of more than 0.1M for the LPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA) films and more than 0.05M for the BPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA) films. The amounts of adsorbed Cu²⁺ ions were almost the same in each adsorption process at pH 5.0. This indicates that the LPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA) and BPEI‐(pPE‐g‐PGMA) films can be applied to a repeatedly generative chelating membrane for adsorption and desorption of metal ions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5965–5976, 2006     

Preparation and characterization of linear low‐density polyethylene/low‐density polyethylene/TiO2 membranes

Because of their special functions, the application of nanoscale powders has recently attracted both industrial and theoretical interest. In this study, nanoscale TiO₂, which exhibited a special UV absorption and consequent antibacterial function, was added to a low‐density polyethylene/linear low‐density polyethylene hybrid by melt compounding to yield functional composite membranes. TiO₂ exhibited an apparent induced nucleation effect on the crystallization of polyethylene, and the size of the crystallites decreased while the number increaed with the introduction of TiO₂; however, the crystallinity of polyethylene changed little. Also, TiO₂ exhibited an ideal dispersion in the membrane with an average size less than 100 nm, and this excellent dispersion provided the membranes extra UV absorption; moreover, the transparency of the membranes was maintained to satisfy common requirements. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 216–221, 2005     

Adsorption and desorption properties of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) films grafted with DMAEMA and their regeneration

An investigation was undertaken on the adsorption and desorption properties of the expanded poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) films grafted with 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) to anionic dye anions with one to three sulfonic groups in response to temperature changes. The amount of adsorbed metanil yellow (MY) anions increased with the grafted amount and most of the dimethylamino groups appended to the grafted PDMAEMA chains worked as an adsorption site to MY anions for the DMAEMA‐grafted ePTFE (ePTFE‐g‐PDMAEMA) films with the grafted amounts of higher than 1.1 mmol/g. When the dye‐anion‐adsorbed ePTFE‐g‐PDMAEMA films were alternately immersed in water at two different temperatures, dye anions were desorbed from the ePTFE‐g‐PDMAEMA films at higher temperatures without any chemical agents. The amount of desorbed dye anions increased with an increase in the temperature of water from 40 to 80°C. Desorption of dye anions is caused by either deprotonation of dimethylamino groups appended to the grafted PDMAEMA chains or thermosensitive contraction of the grafted PDMAEMA chains. These results indicate that the ePTFE‐g‐PDMAEMA films can be applied as a regenerative ion‐exchange membrane for adsorption and desorption processes of anionic compounds in response to the temperature change. The thermally regenerative ion‐exchange properties of the ePTFE‐g‐PDMAEMA films was superior to that of the PE‐g‐PDMAEMA films reported in our previous article in the fact that the total degree of desorption was higher for the ePTFE‐g‐PDMAEMA films. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Rheology behavior of high‐density polyethylene/diluent blends and fabrication of hollow‐fiber membranes via thermally induced phase separation

The phase‐separation behavior of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/diluent blends was monitored with a torque variation method (TVM). The torque variation of the molten blends was recorded with a rheometer. It was verified that TVM is an efficient way to detect the thermal phase behavior of a polymer–diluent system. Subsequently, polyethylene hollow‐fiber membranes were fabricated from HDPE/dodecanol/soybean oil blends via thermally induced phase separation. Hollow‐fiber membranes with a dense outer surface of spherulites were observed. Furthermore, the effects of the spinning temperature, air‐gap distance, cold drawing, and HDPE content on the morphology and gas permeability of the resultant membranes were examined. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effect of ethylene ionomers on the properties of crosslinked polyethylene

Most premature failure of underground crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) cables in service, a matter of great concern, is due to aging induced by water treeing. To improve the water‐tree resistance, sodium‐neutralized poly (ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid) (EAA–Na) ionomers were blended with XLPE; the EAA–Na ionomers were prepared through the neutralization of sodium hydroxide and poly(ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid). A series of XLPE/EAA–Na ionomer blends were investigated through the measurement of the water absorption ratio, water treeing, and mechanical and dielectric testing; the results strongly suggested that EAA–Na ionomers could improve the water‐tree resistance of XLPE, and the XLPE/EAA–Na blends retained excellent mechanical properties and dielectric properties. Moreover, through the characterization of XLPE/EAA–Na blends with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and scanning electron microscopy, it was found that the neutralization reaction could be achieved completely; the XLPE and EAA–Na ionomers were partially compatible, so the EAA–Na ionomers could be dispersed well in the matrix with the process examined in this study. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3483–3490, 2007     

Effect of polyethylene glycol on the performance of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene membranes

Porous, flat membranes of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were prepared by thermally induced phase separation, with mineral oil as a diluent and poly(ethylene glycol) with a weight‐average molecular weight of 20,000 (PEG20000) as an additive. Through the control of the rheological behavior, crystallite size, and pore structure, the influential factors, including the diluent, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) content, and cooling rate, were investigated. The results suggested that PEG could decrease the viscosity of UHMWPE/diluent apparently. The crystal density decreased when mineral oil was added, which made the melting point and crystallinity of UHMWPE lower. The crystallization rate and crystallinity also increased with the addition of PEG. However, the addition of excess PEG restrained crystal growth. PEG20000 in membranes could be extracted absolutely through the soaking of the membranes with fresh water for 7 days. With increasing PEG content, both porosity and pure water flux first increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum at a PEG mass fraction of 10%. The cooling rate had a direct effect the crystal structure. A slow cooling rate was good for crystal growth and diluent integration. Therefore, the pure water flux increased along with the temperature of the cooling medium, whereas porosity first increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum at 40°C. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Modification of adhesive properties of a polyethylene film by photografting

Graft polymerization of acrylic acid from monomer solutions in water or in bulk onto low‐density polyethylene film substrate was carried out by the method of continuous process under UV radiation. Effects of the nature of photoinitiator on acrylic acid grafting was first studied. One PI₂ and two PI₁ photoinitiators were used. Benzophenone was then retained for the following study. The influence of photoinitiator and monomer concentration was investigated by determining polymerization kinetics and grafted polymer amount. A study of surface wetting and morphological structure was then carried out on a bulk system and as a function of the photoinitiator concentration. Finally, such surface modification was studied with respect to its effect on the adhesion of an acrylic stick on its surface. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2803–2811, 2004     

Mechanical properties and applications for floor tiles of a composite from clay and maleated polyethylene

New composites were prepared from dried waste mud containing clay (Clay) and maleated polyethylene (MPE) by melt mixing. Scanning electron microscopy showed strong adhesion of MPE to Clay in the MPE–Clay composite, and this was probably due to the increased compatibility between MPE and Clay. With an increase in the Clay concentration to 60 wt %, the tensile strength of the MPE–Clay composite increased. Furthermore, the smaller elongation of the MPE–Clay composite indicated effective transfer of the high tensile strength of Clay to the MPE matrix through the strong adhesion between Clay and MPE. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1176–1182, 2005     

Membrane properties of microporous structures prepared from polyethylene/polymethacrylate IPN

Polyethylene/polymethacrylate interpenetrating polymer networks (PE/PMA IPN) form a matrix–particle or a co‐continuous morphology that can be adjusted by the composition and synthesis conditions. Based on the fact that PMA degrades whereas PE crosslinks when they are exposed to energetic irradiation, we developed a new approach to create a porous structure by electron beam irradiation. IPN systems that differ in the methacrylate components and composition were studied. One system contains poly(butyl methacrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate) (BMA‐co‐MMA) and the other contains poly(dodecyl methacrylate‐co‐ethyl methacrylate) (DMA‐co‐EMA) as the PMA phase. After electron beam irradiation followed by extraction with xylene, both IPN systems have a porous structure that is permeable to water. However, the structure and size of the pores depend on the PMA components and the synthesis conditions. PMAs with long aliphatic side chains degrade less than PMAs containing only short aliphatic pendant groups. Therefore, the PE/BMA‐co‐MMA IPN forms bigger pores than PE/DMA‐co‐EMA, resulting in a higher water flux. The molecular cutoffs of the IPN are characteristic for microfiltration or ultrafiltration.© 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1976–1982, 2003     

Surface oxidation of low‐density polyethylene films to improve their susceptibility toward environmental degradation

Polyethylene wastes, particularly as films, have accumulated over the last several decades resulting in a major visual litter problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of chemical reagents to oxidize the low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) film surface to increase their susceptibility toward photodegradation and thermal degradation. Three chemical agents, namely, potassium permanganate, potassium persulfate, and benzoyl peroxide, were used to oxidize the film surface to generate chromophoric groups, such as carbonyl groups, which are the main reason for the enhanced environmental degradation of photolytic polymers, such as ethylene–carbon monoxide and ethylene–vinyl ketone copolymers. For the chemical treatment, LDPE films of 70 ± 5 μm thickness were prepared by a film‐blowing technique and subsequently reacted with the aforementioned oxidizing agents. To aid the oxidation process, the reaction with potassium persulfate and potassium permanganate was performed under microwave irradiation heating. In the case of benzoyl peroxide aided oxidation, the films were subjected to repeated coating–heating treatments up to a maximum of 10 cycles. The treated films were subjected to accelerated aging, that is, xenon‐arc weathering and air‐oven aging (at 70°C), for extended time periods. The chemical and physical changes induced as a result of aging were followed by the monitoring of changes in the mechanical, structural, and thermal properties. The results indicate that the surface‐oxidized LDPE films exhibited enhanced susceptibility toward degradation; however, the extent was reduced as compared to photolytic or other degradable compositions. The ability of the chemicals to initiate degradation followed the order potassium persulfate < potassium permanganate < benzoyl peroxide. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Glass‐transition‐temperature depression in chemically crosslinked low‐density polyethylene and high‐density polyethylene and their blends with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer

A reduction in the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) was found for polyolefins chemically crosslinked by peroxide. This tendency, which was observed for low‐density and high‐density polyethylenes, was also validated for their blends with Ethylene Vinyl Acetate copolymer. It is proposed that the constrained crystallization process, as a result of a restriction imposed on the chain packing by the chemical crosslinks, results in an increasing net free volume in the amorphous phase and hence reduces T_g. The T_g depression becomes greater with increasing crosslink density, whereas at the same time, the degree of crystallinity and consequently the density of the system decreases with an increase in the peroxide content. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1654–1660, 2007     

Examination of the role of oxygen in the photografting of methacrylic acid on a polyethylene film with a mixed solvent consisting of water and organic solvents

The photografting of methacrylic acid (MAA) on a linear low‐density polyethylene film (thickness = 30 μm) under air and nitrogen atmospheres was investigated at 60°C in mixed solvents consisting of water and an organic solvent, with xanthone as a photoinitiator. The organic solvents used were acetone, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, and dioxane. A maximum percentage of grafting occurred at a certain concentration of the organic solvent in the mixed solvent. This was observed for the systems under both air and nitrogen. The grafting reaction under air exhibited an induction period, but the rate of grafting after the period was greater than that under nitrogen. The formation of poly(ethylene peroxide)s by photoirradiation seemed to be a factor for the accelerated photografting under air. On the basis of attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the grafted film, the MAA‐grafted chains of the sample prepared under air tended to penetrate more deeply inside the film than those of the sample prepared under nitrogen. The resulting grafted films exhibited a pH‐responsive character: the grafted films shrank in an acidic medium but swelled in alkaline medium. This was evaluated from measurements of dimensional changes in the grafted films. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 992–998, 2003     

Effect of the preparation conditions on the permeation of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene/silicon dioxide hybrid membranes

Porous ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene/SiO₂ membranes were prepared by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) with white mineral oil as the diluent and SiO₂ as an additive. Influential factors, including extraction method, SiO₂ content, and cooling rate, were investigated. The results suggest that the both porosity and pure water flux of the membranes by extraction of the solvent naphtha in the tension state with alcohol were the best among our research. With increasing SiO₂ content, the porosity, pure water flux, and pore diameter increased. However, with excessive SiO₂ content, defects formed easily. Moreover, SiO₂ improved the pressure resistance of the membranes. The cooling rate directly effected the crystal structure. A slow cooling rate was good for crystal growth and the integration of the diluent. Therefore, the porosity, pure water flux, and bubble‐point pore diameter increased with decreasing cooling rate. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Physical properties of polyethylene/silicate nanocomposite blown films

Maleated polyethylene/silicate nanocomposite and maleated polyethylene/SiO₂ blown films were prepared by melt extrusion. The silicate and SiO₂ significantly affected the physical properties of the films. The former films showed higher tensile strength than the latter films. This high reinforcement effect seemed to be attributable to the strong interaction between the matrix and silicate as well as the uniform dispersion of silicate layers in the polymer matrix. The addition of silicate beyond a certain content gave a worse Elmendorf tear strength than SiO₂. The silicate did not increase the falling dart impact strength at all. The worst Elmendorf strength apparently originated from the orientation of anisotropic silicate rather than the orientation of lamellae of the polymer matrix, and the silicate made the films more brittle. The well‐dispersed silicate layers in the polymer matrix gave almost the same optical properties as the pure polymer despite the increase in the silicate content. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2131–2136, 2003     

Preparation of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene membranes via a thermally induced phase‐separation method

Porous, flat membranes of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene were prepared as thermally resistant and solvent‐resistant membranes by the thermally induced phase‐separation method. Diphenyl ether and decalin were chosen as the diluents. The phase diagrams were drawn with the cloud‐point temperatures and the crystallization temperatures. According to the phase diagrams, scanning electron microscopy images, and porosities of the samples, the influential factors, including the polymer concentration, cooling rate, and viscosity, were investigated. Porous ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene membranes with thermal and solvent resistance could be prepared with suitable diluents and cooling rates by the thermally induced phase‐separation method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Mechanical properties of polyethylene mixtures crystallized under high pressure

The mechanical properties of a medium molecular weight polyethylene (MMW‐PE) and an ultrahigh molecular weight PE (UHMW‐PE) binary mixture with different weight fractions crystallized from the melt at 0.1 and 450 MPa were studied. The tensile modulus, yield stress, and strain were obtained as a function of the weight fractions in the PE mixtures at 25 and 85°C. The tensile modulus in the sample crystallized at 0.1 MPa decreased from 1.5 GPa of pure MMW‐PE to about 0.4 GPa of pure UHMW‐PE with the UHMW‐PE content but it did not decrease with the UHMW‐PE in the sample crystallized at 450 MPa in testing at 25°C. A decreasing rate of the storage modulus E′ of UHMW‐PE in a dynamic measurement for the sample crystallized at 0.1 MPa with the temperature is larger than that of the sample crystallized at 450 MPa. These experimental facts are interpreted in relation to the molecular motion and crystallinity of the sample. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1962–1968, 2003     

Characterization to the weathering extent of LLDPE/LDPE thin film

A kind of LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene)/LDPE (low density polyethylene) thin film for farm applications was subjected to accelerated and natural weathering. Carbonyl group, melting point, tensile elastic modulus, and high‐temperature shearing modulus of weathered films were investigated as function of weathering time. Two kinds of carbonyl index, I₁ and I₂, which result from infrared spectroscopy (IR) spectra of the weathered films, were defined to characterize the weathering extent of the LLDPE/LDPE thin film. Based on I₁ and I₂, a correlation is made between the artificial and natural weathering of the film: 1 h of the artificial weathering is equivalent to about 10.73 h of the natural weathering. The difference between the accelerated weathering and the natural weathering was also discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 12–16, 2003     

Crosslinking of high‐density polyethylene in the presence of organic peroxides

The crosslinking efficiency of various commercially available organic peroxides (dicumyl peroxide, O,O‐t‐butyl O‐2‐ethylhexylperoxycarbonate, t‐butyl peroxybenzoate, t‐butyl 3,5,5‐trimethylperoxyhexanoate, and t‐butyl 2‐ethylperoxyhexanoate) was tested on high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) in its molten state. The variations of the concentrations of the peroxides versus the crosslinking extent were plotted for these peroxides, and the values were compared. Dicumyl peroxide was found to be the best crosslinking agent for HDPE. The efficiency of the HDPE crosslinking with each peroxy derivative was analyzed on the basis of the behavior of the radicals generated from it. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 75–81, 2004