Influence of UV Light Wavelength on Grafting of PVC

PVC-(n-propyl xanthate) macroinitiators (PVC-nPX) with different fractions of xanthate groups were synthesized in THF/acetone solutions from PVC and potassium n-propyl xanthate (nPX). Methyl methacrylate (MMA) was grafted onto PVC-nPX macroinitiators using UV light of 254, 302, and 366 nm at 20 and 40°C. Reaction time was 1, 3, or 5 hours. Graft copolymerization and UV homopolymerization took place at the same time. Grafting was the most effective at a wavelength of 302 nm with a weight gain of copolymerization of up to 45%. The grafted copolymers were separated from the mixture by selective precipitation of THF solutions with hot ethanol and extraction with hot ethanol. The mechanism of grafting is discussed on the basis of the molecular weight of copolymers, on the quantity of homopolymers, on the structure of copolymers, and on the UV absorption of end groups.