SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CELLULOSE ION-EXCHANGERS .1. POLYMERIZATION OF GLYCIDYL METHACRYLATE, DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL METHACRYLATE, AND ACRYLIC-ACID WITH COTTON CELLULOSE USING THIOCARBONATE-H2O2 REDOX SYSTEM

Polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate ( GMA), dimethylaminoethyl met hacrylate (DMAEMA) and acrylic acid (AA) with cotton fabric using a ce llulose thiocarbonate-hydrogen peroxide redox system as an initiator w as investigated under different conditions. This includes the nature a nd concentration of the initiator and monomer, polymerization time and temperature, and liquor ratio. The percent of polymer add-on is gener ally favored by increasing monomer and H2O2 concentration, as well as duration and temperature of the polymerization, but with the certainty that the percent of polymer add-on follows the following order: GMA > DMAEMA > AA. On the other hand, the percent of polymer add-on increas es by decreasing the liquor ratio. Incorporation of Fe2+ or Cu2+ ion i n the polymerization system enhances the percent of polymer add-on sig nificantly. Replacing the H2O2 by other oxidants such as Cr6+ or Mn4is made, and the capability of such cations to expedite polymerization of the said monomers with cotton cellulose is studied. Also studied i s the synthesis of cation exchanger via reaction of poly(GMA)-cellulos e copolymer with hexamethylene tetramine. Furthermore, the ion exchang e characteristics of the cellulosic copolymers obtained with this as w ell as with other monomers are reported. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, I nc.