Preparation of permselective membranes by means of radiation induced grafting. Part of a coordinated programme on radiation modified polymers for biomedical and biochemical applications

Styrene grafting to cellulose acetate membrane was studied to prepare a cellulose acetate reverse osmosis membrane with improved dimensional stability. The combination of cross-linking agents such as divinylbenzene or trimethyl propane triacrylate was found to increase the percentage of grafting. For the grafting of styrene:4-vinylpyridine:benzoyl peroxide mixture to cellulose acetate, the activation energy was determined to be 21.8 Kcal/mole over the range of 55-80 deg. C. The initial rate of grafting in % per hour was proportional to 0.76 power of dose intensities