The structure and morphology of isotactic polypropylene (iPP), functionalized by electron beam irradiation at room temperature in air, are investigated by elementary analysis, FT-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), polariscope, and static contact angle. Elementary analysis reveals that the element oxygen has been introduced onto iPP chains after electron beam irradiation. In addition, as shown from FTIR spectra, oxygen-containing groups, such as carbonyl, carboxyl, and ether groups, are introduced onto iPP molecular chains. The dependence of oxygenation extent las measured by O-1S/C-1S value of ESCA spectral on electron beam dose is obtained. Under polariscope, it can be observed that the dominant alpha phase appears to become more enhanced, and there is no crystalline phase transition. The static contact angle of iPP decreases with increasing dose. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.