Graft copolymerization of methyl acrylate onto polyvinyl alcohol using Ce(IV) initiator

The effect of different reaction conditions on the grafting of methyl acrylate (MA) onto polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) using eerie ammonium sulfate (CAS) initiator has been studied. The grafting efficiency (GE) was found to be optimum at revels: MA, 0.55 mol/l; CAS, 6.32 x 10(-3) mol l; PVA, 1.0 g/l; H2SO4, 0.19 mol/l; temperature, 45 degrees C; and time, 240 min. Acid hydrolysis and infrared spectroscopy were used for the confirmation of graft copolymer formation. The X-ray diffraction pattern and thermogravimetric analysis of PVA and a representative graft copolymer were studied. A plausible mechanism of grafting has been suggested. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.