Optimized conditions for the grafting reaction of poly(methyl acrylate) onto rubberwood fiber

Graft copolymerization of poly(methyl acrylate) (PAMA) onto rubberwood fiber (RWF) was carried out by free radical initiation. Hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ions were used as an initiator system. Effects of various parameters (reaction temperature and reaction time, as well as hydrogen peroxide, ferrous ammonium sulfate and monomer concentrations) on the grafting percentage were investigated. A high percentage of grafting was achieved when optimum reaction conditions were used. The optimum temperature of the reaction was determined to be about 55degreesC and the reaction time was 120 min. The optimum concentration of H2O2 was 0.03 M and the amounts of Fe2+ and MA were 0.4 mmol and 0.05 mol, respectively. The PMA homopolymer was removed from the graft copolymer by Soxhlet extraction using acetone. The presence of PMA on the fiber was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and gravimetry. The surface morphology of the poly(methyl acrylate)-graft-(rubberwood fiber) was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. (C) 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.