A STUDY ON RADIATION GRAFTING OF STYRENE INDUCED BY SWIFT HEAVY-IONS IN POLY(VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE)

Radiation grafting of polymers is nowadays a rather ''classical'' way of modifying the physicochemical properties of polymers: gamma-rays or electrons are used to induce reactive sites on the polymer chains from which can be initiated the polymerisation of monomers different from the initial irradiated polymer. Taking into account the homogeneous distribution of these sites, the final copolymer is homogeneously grafted. Swift heavy ions are another type of ionising particles. These high energy particles create on their wake through the solid a high density of excitations and ionisations which induce a cylindrical damage zone called the latent track. The radicals formed in the latent track can be used to initiate the grafting. We present a study on the post-irradiation grafting of styrene in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) induced by swift heavy 0 and Xe ions (energies > 1 MeV amu-1). The evolution of the grafting yield and the grafting Tate with the absorbed dose or fluence shows differences depending on the type of ion used. Higher yields are obtained when the grafting is induced by swift heavy ions rather than by gamma-rays.