Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto sago starch using cericammonium nitrate and potassium persulfate as redox initiator systems

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto sago starch wa s carried out in aqueous media by different initiators of ceric ammonium ni trate (CAN) and potassium persulfate (PPS) and under a nitrogen gas atmosph ere. Using CAN as an initiator, the maximum percentage of grafting (%G) was ascertained to be 246% at the following optimum conditions: a 70 degreesC reaction temperature, a 2-h reaction period, 2.0 mmol of CAN, 0.4 mmol of n itric acid, and 141 mmol of MMA. The maximum %G achieved with PPS as the in itiator was 90%. The optimum conditions were a 50 degreesC reaction tempera ture, a 1.5-h reaction period, 47 mmol of monomer, and 1.82 mmol of PPS. Th e grafting of MMA onto sago starch was confirmed by the IR spectra of pure sago starch, MMA, and MMA grafted sago starch. This material may have appli cation as a biodegradable plastic. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.