Synthesis of polyethylene graft block copolymers from styrene, butyl acrylate, and butadiene

A strategy for the copolymerization of alkoxyamines with olefins; the alkoxyamine comonomers function as free-radical initiators allowing for the synthesis of graft copolymers was described. Thus, the use of polyolefins with blocks or grafts of functionalized polymers may improved adhesion to and compatibility with metals, glass, or other polymers. This paper reports on the synthesis of polyethylene graft coplymers containing low levels of grafts of functionalized homopolymers and block polymers along the backbone.