Sulfur modification of polyethylene surfaces. I. Insertion of sulfur into polyethylene surfaces

Atomic sulfur generated respectively by the pyrolysis of carbonyl sulfide and by the photolysis of carbonyl sulfide, carbon disulfide, and sulfur vapors has been shown to modify irreversibly the surface of polyethylene as shown by wettability measurements. The nature of the modification is not completely apparent from this portion of the study, however, insertion of the atomic sulfur into a carbon—hydrogen bond to form a surface thiol group appears likely. The modified surfaces thus formed are shown to undergo several classical organic reactions, as determined by wettability measurements.