Two-step grafting of ethylene glycol dicyclopentenyl ether acrylate and methacrylic acid in silicone films by gamma radiation

In this research, medical-grade silicone (SR) films were modified through grafting with ethylene glycol dicyclopentenyl ether acrylate (EGDEA) and methacrylic acid (MAAc) in two steps. To achieve this, gamma radiation was used as a physical initiator, employing both direct irradiation and pre-irradiation oxidative methods. SR films were modified by varying some parameters, including solvent, monomer concentration, and irradiation dose, for the direct method. In the second step, reaction time and temperature were additional parameters evaluated for the pre-irradiation oxidative method. To verify the correct grafting of both monomers and graft copolymers (SR- g -EGDEA and (SR- g -EGDEA)- g -MAAc), they were characterized using various techniques and procedures, including FTIR-ATR, TGA, contact angle, swelling degree, and critical pH. These analyses determined that the inclusion of both monomers into SR films provides a high degree of hydrophilicity and a pH response near 7, which could be helpful in certain applications. • Synthesis of (SR-g-EGDEA)-g-MAAc by gamma radiation as initiator • The grafting of both monomers changes the hydrophilicity of silicone films to hydrophilic one • Modified silicone films exhibit pH sensitivity by methacrylic acid.