Abstract
The radiation initiated grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto low density polyethylene (LDPE) films has been investigated using a direct radiation technique. The influence of irradiation dose on the grafting yield was investigated. The grafted films were characterized to determine the structural changes with X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optical properties and thermal stability for the graft copolymer were studied. Studies were made on the UV-absorption edge; direct allowed transitions with their optical energy gaps are determined. It was found that the gamma-radiation causes a systematic shift in E-g(opt) to a lower value for grafted samples. The activation energy of the thermal decomposition was calculated according to Horowitz and Metzger method.