Inverse gas chromatography investigation of oxidized polyolefins: surface properties.

Oxidized polyolefins were obtained in processes with the use of air or oxygen as oxidizing agent. The oxidation process caused partial polymer degradation and the change of the surface properties of examined materials. The magnitude of these changes was estimated by means of inverse gas chromatography. All oxidized materials were found to exhibit slightly acidic character. Surface properties strongly depend on the content of oxygen functional groups (oxidation degree) and type of initial material. The most active surfaces were found for oxidized polypropylene and polyethylene wax. The use of principal component analysis allowed to select four parameters offering complete information on the physiochemical character of examined materials (γS(D)), acid volume or saponification number, KA or KD and KA/KD.