Investigation of the transfer of Cu2+ ions in polyethylene films during thermal oxidation on copper

Abstract

The transfer of Cu²⁺ ions in polyethylene (PE) formed at the boundary of adhesional contact during oxidation of melted PE films on copper is studied by an ESR method. The parameters of the diffusion of ions and the kinetics of the formation of carbonyl compounds at the interface with the copper layer are determined over a wide temperature range. In the region of small film thicknesses the diffusion of copper ions is associated with the distribution of the PE oxidation front and with participation of the copper ions in the oxidation reactions. In thick films the diffusion of copper ions is two-stage in nature, because of the delay in autocatalytic oxidation of the external layer compared with oxidation of the PE layer/metal interface catalysed by copper compounds.