RADIOCHEMICAL GRAFT-COPOLYMERIZATION OF METHACRYLONITRILE AND BINARY MIXTURE OF METHACRYLONITRILE WITH 4-VINYLPYRIDINE ONTO ISOTACTIC POLYPROPYLENE FIBER

Graft copolymerization of methacrylonitrile (MAN) and its binary mixtu re with 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) onto isotactic polypropylene (IPP) fibe r has been studied in aqueous medium by the preirradiation method. Opt imum conditions for obtaining the maximum percentage of grafting have been evaluated. Rate of grafting (Rg) has been determined as a functio n of total initial monomer concentration. The graft copolymers are cha racterized by IR spectroscopy, by thermogravimetric analysis, and by i solating the polymer from the graft copolymer. The effect of MAN, an a cceptor monomer, on percentage of grafting of 4-VP, a donor monomer, h as been discussed in the light of the mechanism proposed for grafting by the radiochemical method. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.