GRAFT-POLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLAMIDE ONTO MAIZE STARCH USING POTASSIUM PERSULFATE AS INITIATOR

Graft polymerization of acrylamide (Aam) onto maize starch using potas sium persulfate as initiator was investigated under different conditio ns including concentration of initiator and monomer, polymerization ti me and temperature and liquor ratio. Based on the results obtained, ap propriate conditions for grafting acrylamide onto starch were establis hed. These conditions were also used for grafting other monomers onto maize starch. Results obtained indicate that acrylamide acquires the h ighest graft ability while acrylic acid acquires the least, while acry lonitrile and methacrylic acid in between. The water solubility of bot h nitrogen- and carboxy-containing copolymers increases by increasing the monomer content up to a certain value, then it decreases.