Synthesis of graft copolymer PE-g-PEO by a new anionic graft-from polymerization

A new route for synthesis of amphiphilic graft copolymer PE-gPEO containing hydrophobic polyethylene as the backbone and hydrophilic poly (ethylene oxide) as the side chain has been discussed in this paper. The structure of the copolymer( such as graft density and graft length) the molecular weights of both polyethylene and poly(ethylene oxide) side chain, as well as the molecular weight distribution of the copolymer can be designed and controlled easily by this route. The molecular weight of poly(ethylene oxide) side chain is proportional to the polymerization reaction time and the ethylene oxide monomer concentration, which indicates the "living" characterization of the anonic polymerization of ethylene oxide. The graft copolymers PE-g-PEO synthesized have been characterized by H-1-NMR and DSC tests. And the SEM result shows that after adding the amphiphilic graft copolymer PE-g-PEO as the compatibilizer for the PE/PC, polymeric blend, the compatibility of the blend improved greatly. Therefore, this kind of amphiphilic graft copolymers can be used as the efficient surfactant for the polyolefin blend and composite materials