EFFECT OF STIRRING ON CELLULOSE GRAFT-COPOLYMERIZATION .5. INFLUENCE OF REACTION PARAMETERS

Styrene was grafted onto dissolving pulp by the cellulose xanthate-Fe**2** plus -H//2O//2 system. Reaction parameters were found to have strong influence on conversion to both copolymer and total polymer, as well as on the dependence of polymerization on stirring. The formation of polymer was almost completely inhibited by pure oxygen, while air only slowed down the reaction. Under inert atmosphere, the effect of agitator speed was found to be strongly dependent on monomer and substrate concentration as well as on the concentration of emulsifier. The conversion to copolymer and total polymer was found to drop rapidly above a certain limiting agitator speed. (Editor author abstract)