GRAFT-COPOLYMERIZATION OF METHYL-METHACRYLATE ON SILK FIBER USING MOHRS SALT-POTASSIUM PERSULFATE AS REDOX INITIATOR UNDER VISIBLE-LIGHT INA LIMITED AQUEOUS-MEDIUM

Graft copolymerization of methylmethacrylate onto mulberry silk fibers was studied under photoactive conditions with visible light using the Mohr's salt-potassium persulfate as the redox initiator in a limited aqueous medium. Polymerization in the presence of light at 40 +/-1 deg rees C was found to be more pronounced than that in the dark at 40 +/- 1 degrees C. Percent grafting, percent total conversion, and grafting efficiency under different sets of conditions were studied, and the m echanisms of polymerization and graft copolymer formation were discuss ed. Characterization of the grafted fibers was done by Fourier transfo rm infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential s canning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.