Photo‐induced polymerization of methyl acrylate vapors on prewetted polyamide and polyester fibers

摘要

AbstractPhoto‐induced polymerization of methyl acrylate vapors on polyamide and polyester fibers occurred when these fibers were wetted with the polar solvents methanol, N,N‐dimethylformamide, or dimethyl sulfoxide (neat or in aqueous solution). Polymer grafting was accompanied by homopolymer formation, with the amount of grafting and ratio of grafting to homopolymerization being dependent on the fiber type, the solvent used to wet the fiber, and the amount of water present in the wetting solution. Overall deposition of polymer was higher on polyamide than on polyester under all wetting conditions. Water present in the wetting agent had a limited effect on polymerization of poly(methyl acrylate) on polyamide, whereas water caused a rapid decrease in polymerization on polyester. The nature of polymer grafting on the fibers under various wetting conditions was examined by scanning electron microscopy and tensile property measurements, and the mode of polymer deposition was outlined in light of our findi