GRAFT-COPOLYMERIZATION OF METHYLMETHACRYLATE ONTO CAESARWEED FIBERS BY THE POTASSIUM-PERMANGANATE TOLUENE REDOX SYSTEM

Preliminary investigations have been conducted on the graft copolymerization of methylmethacrylate onto Caesarweed fiber, initiated by potassium permanganate and the toluene redox system. The percentage graft yield increased with permanganate up to 132% in the concentration range, 1.0 x 10(-2) to 5.0 x 10(-2) M at 40-degrees-C. The effects of varying concentrations of toluene, acids, and monomer on graft yield were also investigated. Graft yield increased initially and then decreased on varying the concentrations of toluene from 2 x 10(-2) to 20 x 10(-2) M. The graft yield increased with temperature between 20 and 50-degrees-C. At 60-degrees-C, the graft yield decreased considerably by up to 60% of the value at 50-degrees-C. The calculated activation energies for the overall reaction, and for the initiation process, are 9.15 and 9.30 Kcal mol-1, respectively. (C) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.