Graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate onto guar gum with ceric ammonium sulfate/dextrose redox pair

The effect of different reaction conditions on the grafting of methyl metha crylate (MMA) onto guar gum (GG) has been studied in detail. The grafting e fficiency was optimal under the following conditions: MMA at 1.13 mol/L; ce ric ammonium. sulfate at 6.32 x 10(-3) mol/L; dextrose monohydrate at 2,428 x 10(-3) mol/L; GG at 4 g/L; temperature at 50 degreesC; and time at 210 m in. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used for the confirmation o f copolymer formation. Thermogravimetric analysis of GG and a representativ e graft copolymer were studied. A probable mechanism of grafting has been s uggested. The biodegradability of the resulted copolymer was evaluated. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.