FUNCTIONALIZATION OF AN AMORPHOUS ETHYLENE-PROPYLENE COPOLYMER BY FREE-RADICAL INITIATED GRAFTING OF UNSATURATED MOLECULES

Functionalization of an amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymer, EPM, has been performed by means of homogeneous grafting reactions of unsaturated molecules such as dibutylmaleate, diethylfumarate, itaconic anhydride, and maleic anhydride, initiated by free radicals. Dicumylperoxide and dibenzoylperoxide have been used as a free radical source and their efficiency has been compared. A different reactivity of the unsaturated molecules has been evidenced. The influence of the nature of the solvent on the functionalization degree has been investigated, revealing a noticeable effect of the solvent either on the amounts of grafted molecules or on the secondary reactions which lead to partial degradation of the functionalized EPM chains.