Radiation‐induced sulfoxidation and sulfochlorination of powdery polyethylene produced by radiation process

Gamma radiation‐induced sulfoxidation and sulfochlorination of the high specific surface area powdery polyethylene which was produced by radiation‐induced polymerization of ethylene at room temperature were studied and were compared with sulfonation by fuming sulfuric acid. In these reactions the effect of surface area on the chemical reactivity was observed to a certain degree. In gamma radiation‐induced sulfochlorination, it was elucidated that as the reaction proceeds, the ratio of SO2Cl to Cl introduced into the polymer decreases, which can be explained by the difference between the diffusibilities of SO2 and Cl2 molecules through sulfochlorinated and/or chlorinated polyethylene. Crystallinity, melting temperature, and density of the sulfochlorinated polymers were measured and are discussed.