Functional Modification of Polypropylene

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Abstract
Strong interest has been generated in recent years regarding the modification of polyolefins to be functionalized or engineered for new materials with superior properties. Functional and engineered polyolefins are becoming more and more commercially important and expanding their applications as demonstrated by the scientific research and publication in the field as well as by attendance at symposia on modified polymers [1–5]. Of all the modifications of polyolefins to be functionalized or engineered, chemical modification of polymers is important for two reasons: (a) modifying the bulk properties of polymers by grafting or copolymerization leads to increased intermolecular interactions and possible crosslinking of the macromolecules; (b) the surface chemistry and physics of polymers can be modified by several surface modifying techniques such as surface coating, surface degradation, surface hydrolysis, plasma discharge treatment, and radiation-induced, photochemistry-induced, or catalytic-initiated graft copolymerization. Graft copolymerization offers an effective approach to functional polyolefins, which introduces some desirable properties into the polymer and thus expands the available market for polymer applications without affecting the architecture of the polymer backbone. Grafting improves adhesion, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, dyeing, and dye retention capacity of the copolymer. Grafting also enhances thermal and photochemical stability, and it promotes compatibility for engineered polyolefin composites.