A kinetic study on grafting of maleic anhydride onto a thermoplastic elastomer

Maleation of a thermoplastic elastomer, styrene‐[ethylene‐butylene]‐styrene (SEBS) triblock copolymer, was carried out by a solution grafting reaction with maleic anhydride initiated by dicumyl peroxide. The reaction products from the graft reaction in xylene, commonly chosen as the solvent for maleation graft reactions, were identified using liquid chromatograph (LC), IR, and 13C‐NMR. Side products from the graft reaction were identified by the LC analysis and, it was concluded that xylene affected the graft reaction through its active methyl groups. Reaction mechanisms were investigated by performing free radical kinetics analysis. The reaction orders and the apparent rate constant were estimated. It was concluded that a proper choice of the solvent might favor better graft efficiency.