A novel macromolecular surface modifier

a polypropylene-grafted-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer

was synthesized by coupling of polypropylene containing maleic anhydride with monohydroxyl-terminated poly(ethylene glycol).The effects of reaction conditions on the graft reactions were studied.The copolymers were characterized by IR

1H-NMR

TG and DSC.The results indicated that the graft reactions were hindered by increasing the molecular weight of PP or PEG.The graft copolymer had a lower crystallization capacity as compared with pure PP.The thermal stability of PP-g-PEG decreased with increasing the content of PEG or the molecular weight of PEG.The copolymers were used to blend with polypropylene to modify the surface hydrophilicity of the products.The results of ATR-FTIR showed that PP-g-PEG could diffuse preferably onto the surface of the blends and be suitable as an effectual macromolecular surface modifier for PP.