Photofunctionalization of cellulose and lignocellulose fibres using photoactive organic acids

Photofunctionalization of cellulosic and lignocellulosic fibres on their ph otoexposure with aqueous solutions of some photoactive organic acids viz. a cetic acid. oxalic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid under N-2-atmosphere has been studied. The process commonly results in enhanceme nt in the acid (carboxyl) value and ester value of the fibres leading to no table modifications of their textile-related properties. The property modif ication largely depends on the nature and initial concentration of the orga nic acids used. Photofunctionalization of the fibers commonly resulted in l owering of tenacity and marginal change in moisture regain property. Photoa ctive nature of the acids used for modification is found to be retained in the functionalized fibres. which in effect. are able to photoinitiate graft copolymerization of acrylamide without the requirement of the use of an in itiator from outside. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.