Modification of Polyethylene of Various Density by Layers of Copper Sulfide

Abstract

Polyethylene films of high, medium and low density were modified by layers of copper sulfide obtained using sorption-diffusion method. For the inclusion of elemental sulfur into polyethylene a solution of high polythionic acid, H2S33O6, was used. The concentration of sulfur sorbed in the polyethylene increased with the decrease of crystalline volume fraction and the increase of the temperature of polythionic acid solution and the duration of the sulfuration. On treating sulfured polyethylene with a copper salt solution, a copper sulfide layer was formed. The amount of copper increased with the decrease of density and crystalline volume fraction of the polyethylene, and with increase of sorbed sulfur concentration.