Radiation grafting of thermo-sensitive poly(NIPAAm) onto silicone rubber

Pre-irradiation grafting of poly(NIPAA)m on silicone rubber was successfully completed. It was found that the graft reaction could be done at higher temperature and induced by peroxides produced during irradiation of samples in air. Production and decomposition of the peroxides were investigated. The activation energy of peroxides decomposition equals 27.2 kJ/mol. The study of grafting kinetics at various temperature showed the graft reaction is easy to carry out at higher temperature because the activation energy of graft reaction is 54.7 kJ/mol. Some results of direct radiation polymerization in this system were also given. The surface of the grafted films had thermal sensitivity and the LCST of them closed to 35 degrees C. The surface morphology and the swelling behaviors of the samples were observed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.Chemistry, PhysicalNuclear Science & TechnologyPhysics, Atomic, Molecular & ChemicalSCI(E)EI20ARTICLE2173-1785