The present invention relates generally to a grafting process comprising
the formation of a grafted polymeric structure having a substrate polymer
in hybrid formation with one or more of the same or other polymers or
monomeric subunits thereof. More particularly, the present invention
contemplates a method of generating a homogenous or heterogenous grafted
polymer by inducing or otherwise facilitating free radical formation to
initiate polymerization of monomer units corresponding to the same or
different polymers to a substrate polymer previously subjected to
physical stress means. The resulting hybrid polymer may comprise a
substrate polymer and a population of a second or further polymers in
homogenous or heterogenous hybrid formation with the substrate polymer. A
homogenous population includes a grafted population of the same polymer
whereas a heterogenous population comprises a grafted population of two
or more different polymers. The homogenous or heterogenous population may
be in a random or patterned array and may be regarded, in one embodiment,
as reactive or interactive centres for solid phase organic synthesis and
binding of polymeric and/or chemically interactive molecules. The present
invention also discloses a method to render polymers, previously regarded
as not being suitable material for graft formation, capable of receiving
a graft polymer in a heterogenous or homogenous fashion. Thus, the
instant invention permits the production of a new range of hybrid polymer
including copolymer materials and blends of polymers.