Conventional PE fibers are widely used due to their low cost and excellent chemical resistance, but their poor thermal stability and inherent hydrophobicity severely limit their use in high-temperature environments and blended fabrics. Addressing these challenges, a research team led by Dr. Liu Baojiang from Donghua University has developed a novel one-step UV irradiation technology that simultaneously induces crosslinking and grafting modifications in medium molecular weight PE fibers.
The modification system uses benzophenone (BP) as a photoinitiator, triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) as a co-crosslinker, and AA as a grafting monomer. These components are blended with the PE matrix before melt spinning, followed by UV irradiation to trigger the reactions. Under optimal conditions: 2.0% BP, 2.0% TAIC, 2.0% AA, UV intensity of 2000 mW/cm², and irradiation time of 60 seconds, the modified PE fibers achieved remarkable performance.
The crosslinked network, confirmed by gel mass fraction measurements (exceeding 80%) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, restricts polymer chain mobility, thereby enhancing thermal stability. The modified fibers maintained structural integrity and mechanical performance at temperatures up to 150 °C, where unmodified PE fibers melted completely. Furthermore, the grafting of AA introduced carboxyl groups onto the fiber surface, significantly improving hydrophilicity. The water contact angle dropped from 105.0° (hydrophobic) to 48.4° (hydrophilic) at an AA mass fraction of 2.0%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed rougher surfaces and distinct lamellar cross-sectional structures in the modified fibers, confirming successful grafting and crosslinking.
This synergistic modification strategy not only enhances the thermal resistance of PE fibers but also dramatically improves their wettability, making them suitable for dyeing and blending with other fibers in high-performance textiles. The work entitled “Preparation of Polyethylene Fibers with Enhanced Thermal Stability and Hydrophilicity by UV Irradiation” was published in Journal of Donghua University (English Edition) (published in Issue 01, 2026).
DOI: 10.19884/j.1672-5220.202502015