HYDROPHOBIC AND HYDROPHILIC INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORKS DERIVED FROM HYDROPHOBIC POLYMERS AND METHODS OF PREPARING THE SAME

A composition of matter comprising a hydrophobic or hydrophilic (or both) interpenetrating polymer network containing a non-ionic/ionic polymer and a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, articles made from such composition and methods of preparing such articles. The invention also includes a process for preparing a hydrophobic/hydrophilic IPN or semi-IPN from a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer including the steps of placing an non-ionizable/ionizable monomer solution in contact with a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer; diffusing the monomer solution into the hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer; and polymerizing the monomers to form a penetrating polymer inside the hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, thereby forming the IPN or semi-IPN.