CELLULOSE THIOCARBONATE-FERRIC NITRATE REDOX SYSTEM INDUCED GRAFT-COPOLYMERIZATION OF VINYL MONOMERS ON TO COTTON FABRIC

The cellulose thiocarbonate-ferric nitrate redox system was investigat ed as the initiator for the graft copolymerization of methyl methacryl ate (MMA) and other vinyl monomers on to cotton fabric. Other monomers were methacrylic acid (MAA), acrylonitrile (AN), methyl acrylate (MA) , acrylamide (Aam). ethyl acrylate (EA), and allyl acrylate (Allyl-A). A number of variables in the grafting reaction were investigated, inc luding ferric nitrate and monomer concentrations, pH of the polymeriza tion medium, duration and temperature of polymerization, and compositi on of the water/solvent polymerization medium, solvents used being met hanol, ethanol, isopropanol, tertiary butanol, and acetone. The grafti ng reaction was studied with respect to various polymer criteria, name ly, graft yield, homopolymer formation. total conversion, and grafting efficiency. The optimal conditions for low homopolymer formation and high grafting efficiency were [Fe(NO3)3.9H2O], 6 M mol/litre, MMA, 2%; pH, 2; polymerization time, 2 h: polymerization temperature. 60-degre es-C; material/liquor ratio 1:50. The rates of grafting under' these o ptimal conditions were in the order: methyl methacrylate > methyl acry late > ethyl acrylate > allyl acrylate > acrylamide > acrylonitrile > methacrylic acid. A tentative mechanism for the grafting reaction is p roposed.