Synthesis and characterization of azo acrylates grafted onto polyethylene terephthalate by gamma irradiation

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films were grafted with acryloyl chloride by gamma irradiation, and the grafted films were reacted with Disperse Red 1 or 4-phenylazophenol. The films where characterized by atomic force microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, FTIR-ATR, light polarized microscopy, elemental analysis and UV spectroscopy. The surface of the films was homogeneous, and the dye underwent trans to cis photoreaction, whereby the red films became colorless by the irradiation of UV light at room temperature.