Surface modification of polyamide-6: graft copolymerization of vinyl monomers onto polyamide-6 and thermal analysis of the graft copolymers

Graft copolymerization of vinyl monomers onto polyamide-6 using radical initiation has been investigated. Two monomers were used: methacrylic acid and acrylic acid. The initiators selected included hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide and azobisisobutyronitrile. The extent of graft copolymerization depends on the concentrations and identity of the initiator and monomer and the time and temperature of the reaction. The graft copolymers were not soluble in solvents that will dissolve the starting material; definitive proof for the formation of the graft copolymers was obtained from infrared spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed on the graft copolymers and it was found that the presence of the acid invariably accelerated the degradation of the polyamide. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.