A STUDY ON ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION FUNCTIONALIZATION OF HDPE

The structure, hydrophilicity of high density polyethylene (HDPE) functionalized by ultraviolet irradiation at different environmental temperature in air, and compatibilization of the functionalized HDPE in HDPE/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blends were studied through FT-IR, gel analysis, water contact angle and mechanical properties measurements. Oxygen-containing groups such as C-O and C=O were introduced onto HDPE chains after the ultraviolet irradiation in air. The oxygen-containing groups content, gel content and hydrophilicity increase with increasing the environmental temperature. The compatibilization of the functionalized HDPE increases with the environmental temperature; Compared with HDPE/PVA blend, the tensile yield strength and notch impact strength of HDPE/PVA blends compatibilized functionalized HDPE are increased.