Synergizing radiation-induced emulsion graft polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate on polyethylene-coated polypropylene nonwoven fabric by addition of hydrophobic alcohols

The radiation-induced emulsion graft polymerization method is limited for applying concentrations higher than the monomer concentration that enables stable formation of monomer micelles. Furthermore, foaming may occur because of the presence of the surfactant, which is essential for the formation of micelles, resulting in likely splashing around a highly flammable monomer emulsion. In the present study, to overcome these issues, we investigate the effect of added alcohols on the grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in emulsion graft polymerization. By adding hydrophobic alcohols to the GMA monomer emulsion of the given system, we succeeded in increasing polymerization rate at low monomer concentrations and developing a highly safe method of emulsion graft polymerization. By adding 0.5 wt% of hydrophobic alcohol such as 1-octanol to the GMA monomer emulsion, the degree of grafting was 4 times higher than in the case without addition. In addition, we successfully reduced the foamability of the GMA monomer emulsion deriving from the surfactant. This is a novel graft polymerization method with promising wide industrial application, as it brings improvements for the existing issues of the conventional emulsion graft polymerization method - (1) emulsion stability under low concentration monomer and (2) process stability due to foaming of the monomer emulsion during polymerization.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effect of adding alcohols on the grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in emulsion graft polymerization. By adding hydrophobic alcohols to the GMA monomer emulsion, the polymerization rate at low monomer concentrations is increased and the foamability of the emulsion is reduced. This novel graft polymerization method has wide industrial application potential and improves the existing issues of conventional emulsion graft polymerization.