Polysiloxane graft polyethylene synthesized by a novel heterofunctional condensation approach

Abstract Polysiloxane/polyethylene graft copolymers can synergistically combine the distinguished properties obtained separately in polyethylene (PE) and polysiloxane and therefore attract considerable attentions from both academia and industry. Herein, we introduce a novel and efficient heterofunctional condensation approach to synthesize well-defined polydimethylsiloxane graft PE (PDMS- g -PE) under mild conditions. The chemical structures of PDMS- g -PE are characterized unambiguously, and the correlation between reaction conditions and the structural parameters of PDMS- g -PE is established. Scanning electron microscope images show that the obtained graft copolymer PDMS- g -PE can compatibilize the immiscible PE/silicone oil system.