Microwave assisted oxidation of polyethylene under solid-state conditions with potassium permanganate

The surface oxidation of polyethylene (PE) under solid-state conditions with potassium permanganate has been investigated. This oxidation was also performed under solid-state conditions with potassium permanganate by using a domestic microwave (MW) oven at a different time intervals of 0, 20, 30, 50, and 60 s of MW irradiation. In order to see the effect of MW power on the surface oxidation of PE, the oxidation was carried out at different power of MW irradiation. The oxidation was also performed at different molar ratio of repeating unit of PE/KMnO4 and at constant MW irradiation time and power. According to the data which was obtained from FT-IR spectroscopy, the vinylic and hydroxy groups are observed on the polymer surface. It is noteworthy that no hydroperoxy group have been formed during this oxidation process. Furthermore, PE and oxidized PE have similar TGA and DTG thermograms.