Characterization of methyl methacrylate grafting onto preirradiated biodegradable lignocellulose fiber by gamma-radiation

Gamma-radiation-induced graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto natural lignocellulose (jute) fiber was carried out by the preirradiation method in an aqueous medium by using octylphenoxy-polyethoxyethanol as an emulsifier. The different factors that influenced the graft copolymer reaction process were investigated. In the case of radiation-dose-dependent grafting, samples irradiated in the presence of air produced up to 73% graft weight compared to 53% obtained in the case of irradiation in a nitrogen environment. By assuming Arrhenius reaction kinetics, the activation energy (E(a)) of the grafting reaction process was evaluated for different reaction temperatures. Moreover, the graft copolymer reaction was controlled by incorporating a homopolymer-inhibiting agent and three different chain-transfer agents in the reaction medium. The mechanical and thermal properties of jute fiber 'as received' and jute-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate) were also investigated. The results showed that the percentage of grafting with jute fiber has a significant effect on the properties. The kinetic parameters were evaluated from TGA thermograms by using Broido's method in the temperature range 240-350 degrees C. Scanning electron micrographs show that the structural changes on the surface of jute fibers were induced by graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate monomer. Fiber-fiber surface friction was measured in terms of the average maximum load and the kinetic friction. SEM of jute-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate).     

Surface grafting of polyethylene by mutual irradiation in methyl acrylate vapor. II. High-energy electrons irradiation

Vapor-phase mutual grafting of methyl acrylate (MA) onto polyethylene (PE) at high dose rates from an electron accelerator yields the same surface graft structure as does the grafting at low dose rates from ⁶⁰Co sources; i.e., a homopolymer layer (consisting of only MA component) is easily formed on the inner graft copolymer layer (consisting of both MA and PE components) as a result of the continuously increasing surface graft composition. To produce the surface layer, 4-MeV electron irradiation with a linear electron accelerator requires only less than 3 min of irradiation time at dose rates of more than 2 Mrad/min, whereas γ irradiation with a ⁶⁰Co source requires at least 1 hr at dose rates of less than 2 × 10³ rad/min. The rate of monomer consumption (or polymerization) in the surface homopolymer layer shows no dependence of irradiation time and a positive dependence of dose rate. It has been suggested that this kinetic feature at the high dose rates shows some contribution of vapor-phase homopolymerization and subsequent deposition (onto the grafting surface) followed by recombination with the grafted side chain radicals, although secondary graft copolymerization from the grafted chain radicals is still the principal process for the growth of the surface homopolymer layer.     

Grafting onto wool. XXV. Effect of acids on γ-radiation-induced graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto wool fiber

Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto Himachali wool fiber has been investigated in aqueous medium by using γ irradiation from a 2100 Ci⁶⁰CO source as means of initiation. Graft copolymerization was carried out by the mutual method in nitrogen atmosphere as well as in air. Effect of mineral acids and acetic acid on percentage of grafting was studied. Percentage of grafting was determined as functions of total dose, concentration of monomer, and concentration of acids. Maximum percentage of grafting in the presence of acids occurred in nitrogen atmosphere at a total dose of 1.05 MR. All the acids were found to influence grafting and the reactivity of different acids towards graft copolymerization was found to follow the order: H₂SO₄ > HCl > HNO₃ > HC1O₄ > HOAc. An attempt has been made to explain the reactivity order of different acids in the light of the mechanism proposed for γ-irradiation-induced graft copolymerization of vinyl monomer onto wool fiber.     

Vapor-phase graft copolymerization of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride onto polypropylene fibers by simultaneous irradiation technique

The vapor-phase graft copolymerization of vinyl chloride and vinylidene chloride onto polypropylene fibers was studied by a simultaneous γ-irradiation technique. The weight increase during irradiation due to the grafting in monomers at constant vapor pressure was measured by a sensitive spring balance. The sorption of both monomers onto unirradiated polypropylene fibers was also measured. The graft copolymerization reaction was suppressed with increasing irradiation temperature, and the overall activation energies of grafting were negative in both monomers, ?2.4 kcal/mole for vinyl chloride and ?6.3 kcal/mole for vinylidene chloride. The initial rate of grafting increased linearly with the vapor pressure of monomers. The above dependence was found to parallel the sorption of monomers on polypropylene fibers. The reaction rates were proportional to the 0.9 power of the dose rate in both monomers. The relationship between the grafting and the sorption of monomers was discussed on the basis of kinetics.     

Enhancement of the grafting performance and of the water absorption of cassava starch graft copolymer by gamma radiation

Enhancement of the gamma radiation grafting of acrylonitrile onto gelatinized cassava starch was investigated. Infrared spectrometry was used to follow the chemical changes in the grafting reaction and from saponification. The saponified starch-g-PAN (HSPAN) was then characterized in terms of grafting parameters to provide a guide for the optimum total dose (kGy) and the appropriate ratio of starch/acrylonitrile for a fixed dose rate of 2.5 × 10⁻¹ kGy/min. Other dose rates were also carried out to obtain the appropriate result of grafting copolymerization and of water absorption. A thin aluminium foil, covering the inner wall of the reaction vessel, was found to be far more effective than any other metal films in the enhancement of the grafting reaction and the water absorption as well. Nitric acid in the medium increases the grafting yield and the water absorption. Methyl ether hydroquinone inhibitor was evaluated for its ability to increase homopolymerization and decrease graft reaction. When styrene was used as a comonomer, it hampered the grafting of acrylonitrile onto starch backbone. The water absorption capacity was improved by freeze-drying the HSPAN. The treatment of the HSPAN with aluminium trichloride hexahydrate was found to enhance the degree of wicking, but to decrease the water absorbency.     

Spectroscopic study of the penetration depth of grafted polystyrene onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene‐co‐perfluoropropylvinylether) substrates. 1. Effect of grafting conditions

This study concerns the radiation grafting of styrene onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene‐co‐perfluoropropylvinylether) (PFA) substrates and the penetration depth of the graft. Grafting was obtained by the simultaneous irradiation method, and the spectroscopic analysis was made with the micro‐Raman technique. Effects of grafting conditions such as the type of solvent, dose rate, and irradiation dose on the grafting yield were investigated. Of the different solvents used, the most efficient in terms of increasing grafting yield were dichloromethane, benzene, and methanol, respectively. A mixture of methanol and dichloromethane used as a solvent for styrene achieved a higher degree of grafting and concentration of grafted polystyrene onto the surface of PFA substrates than solutions of the monomer in the separate solvents. The degree of grafting increased with increasing radiation dose up to 500 kGy, stabilizing above this dose. However, the grafting yield decreased with an increase in the dose rate. The increase in the overall grafting yield was accompanied by a proportional increase in the penetration depth of the grafts into the substrate. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3191–3199, 2002     

Radiation grafting of styrene onto polypropylene fibres by a 10 MeV electron beam

The radiation-induced graft copolymerization is an effective method for modification of the chemical and physical properties of polypropylene. Graft copolymerization of styrene onto polypropylene fibers has been studied by simultaneous irradiation method, using a 10 MeV electron beam. Samples were irradiated in an environment of nitrogen gas. The effects of radiation dose and styrene concentration in methanol, on the grafting yield were investigated. The effects of polyfunctional monomer, i.e., trimethylopropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) and acid (sulfuric acid) on the grafting yield were also examined. The grafted samples were then sulfonated and allowed to react with solution of a basic dye. The samples were characterized by mechanical properties and thermal stability. The mechanical properties of the radiated samples were reduced and the grafted samples had lower mechanical properties.     

Radical grafting on lignin. Part I. Radiation-induced grafting of styrene onto hydrochloric acid lignin

By irradiation with gamma rays styrene was grafted onto hydrochloric acid lignin. When the graft polymers were subjected to nitrobenzene oxidation, the vanillin yields indicated two kinds of reaction occurring in the grafting. Polystyrene branches were separated from the graft polymers, and their M?_n were determined osmometrically. At grafting ratios of up to 100 the vanillin yields diminished proportionately with increasing grafting, and the M?_n of the branches, 5000, was unchanged. At grafting ratios of more than 100 the vanillin yields were constant, independent of the ratios, but the M?_n values of the branches increased with grafting. Paper chromatography of the aromatic acids obtained by oxidation of methylated lignin and the graft polymer indicated that isohemipic and metahemipic acids were more abundant in the acid fraction of the graft polymer than in the lignin itself. A qualitative mass analysis of the gaseous products evolving from the irradiated lignin showed the presence of hydrogen molecules only. Gamma-ray radiation brought about no change in the yields of vanillin. It was therefore concluded that radiation grafting on lignin at grafting ratios of less than 100 proceeded through the addition of the styrene polymer radicals to the aromatic nuclei of the lignin and that then branches propagated from the aliphatic part of the lignin, where C? H bond scission had been caused by the irradiation. The grafting sites of lignin would be C-5 and C-6 of the guaiacyl nucleus and, probably the β and γ carbon atoms of the aliphatic side chain of the lignin.     

Synthesis of ion-exchange membranes by radiation-induced multiple grafting of methyl α,β,β-trifluoroacrylate

Methyl α,β,β-trifluoroacrylate (MTFA) was grafted onto polymer films with the multiple grafting technique initiated by α-rays: the yields were similar to those of the single-step grafting procedure with any irradiation dose. Grafted polymer obtained in the single-step experiments were distributed mainly near the film surface, whereas graft polymer from the multiple grafting experiments were distributed uniformly in the film at graft yields greater than 20%. The electric resistance of the hydrolyzed multiple graft polymer film in a 2N NaOH solution was much lower than that of one-step graft film at the same graft yield.     

Radiation Graft Copolymerization of n-Butyl Acrylate on Natural Rubber Latex

Abstract

A method of radiation graft copolymerization of n-butyl acrylate (NBA) on natural rubber (NR) latex has been studied. The rate of conversion increases with the increase of NBA in latex. An irradiation dose of about 12 kGy is needed to obtain 90% conversion with 40 phr of NBA in latex. Tensile strength, tear strength, and elongation at break of grafted NR are found to decrease with increasing degree of grafting. The physical strength of a vulcanizate prepared from a mixture of NR and ply-NBA was found to be better than that of NBA-NR graft copolymer vulcanizate. The graft copolymerization reaction takes place in the outer layer of NR particles, and because the secondary bonds between poly-NBA molecules may be weaker than those between NR molecules, the existence of a poly-NBA layer in NR particles will decrease its physical strength.     

Further studies on the ultraviolet graft copolymerization of maleimide by vapor-phase method

Graft copolymerization of maleimide onto polyethylene and ethyl cellulose films by using its sublimation vapor was carried out under ultraviolet irradiation in the presence or absence of air; the effect of air or additives on the grafting reaction and on the nature of the grafted films was investigated. The extent of grafting gradually approached a fixed value, in spite of the continuous ultraviolet irradiation. Air retarded the grafting reaction but did not suppress the reaction nor alter the final extent of grafting. Benzoquinone showed no inhibiting effect on the grafting. The grafted polymaleimide was found to be amorphous, even though ultraviolet irradiation produces a highly crystalline homopolymer in the solid phase as well as in the liquid phase. The results were discussed in comparison with those of the vapor-phase grafting under γ-ray irradiation; the reaction is attributed to the vapor–crystal equilibrium of monomer and to the formation of short-chain crosslinks.     

Radiation grafting from binary monomer mixtures. I. Vinyl ether of monoethanolamine and vinyl ether of ethyleneglycol

Gamma-radiation grafting of vinyl ether of monoethanolamine and vinyl ether of ethyleneglycol (VEEG) on polyethylene films has been studied from binary monomer mixtures. The effect of co-monomer composition and total exposure radiation dose on the grafting process is investigated. A combination of potentiometric and gravimetric techniques is applied to determine the grafting degree of each monomer in the final graft copolymer. The presence of more active monomer VEEG in the mixture was found to enhance the grafting of both monomers because the increasing of copolymerization rate which in turn increases the total grafting degree. The modification of the hydrophilic properties of the graft copolymer is studied by examining the grafted films for water- and copper (II) ions uptake.     

Kinetic approach to radiation-induced grafting in the polyethylene–styrene system. II

The investigation method reported in the previous paper was applied to four reaction methods: preirradiation method with reaction in liquid monomer, preirradiation method with reaction in monomer vapor, simultaneous irradiation method in liquid, and simultaneous irradiation method in vapor. The increasing patterns and values of the degree of grafting experimentally obtained roughly agreed with those calculated by using the same rate constants. At high monomer concentration, the rate of grafting was small; at low monomer concentration, the rate of grafting was large. Strictly speaking, the data by simultaneous irradiation method were somewhat larger than those by calculation. Two additional factors, as homopolymerization and the grafting from the radicals formed on the grafted polystyrene, were considered and discussed. The rate constants obtained were also discussed.     

Radiation-induced grafting of diallyldimethylammonium chloride onto acrylic acid grafted polyethylene

Diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) was grafted onto polyethylene (PE) films by a double grafting procedure. The PE film was initially modified by grafting acrylic acid (AA), through a mutual irradiation method. AA-g-PE film, thus obtained was subjected to subsequent radiation grafting reaction of DADMAC, to give a DADMAC-g-AA-g-PE film having a comb-type structure. The influence of different conditions, such as the extent of AA grafting, DADMAC concentration, absorbed dose and dose rate, on the grafting yield of DADMAC was investigated. A maximum DADMAC grafting of 30% was achieved. The equilibrium degree of swelling (EDS) of the grafted films were gravimetrically determined. TGA and FT-IR techniques were employed to characterize the grafted PE films.     

Gamma radiation induced graft copolymerization of vinyl monomers onto poly(vinyl alcohol)

In an attempt to modify water-soluble synthetic polymers, graft Copolymerization of methylmethacrylate (MMA) and ethyl acrylate (EA) onto poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA, has been studied by using gamma irradiation from a Co⁶⁰ source as initiator. The graft copolymerization was carried out in an aqueous medium by the mutual method in air. The effect of total dose and concentration of vinyl monomers on percentage of grafting has been determined. Water plays a significant role in the enhancement of graft copolymerization and the optimum amount of water to afford maximum grafting has been evaluated. The effect of CH₃OH on aqueous grafting of MMA and EA by radiation method has been studied. The graft copolymer has been characterized by IR spectroscopic and thermogravimetric methods.     

Studies on graft copolymerization onto cellulose derivatives. XXVII. Photo-induced graft copolymerization onto nitrocellulose

Photo-induced graft copolymerization was investigated using nitrocellulose having a different nitrogen content, especially by a noncatalytic method. The effects of a sample nitrogen content, reaction temperature, and monomer, sample, solvent and photosensitizer concentrations on the degree of grafting, the grafting efficiency, and the apparent number of grafted chains were examined. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methyl acrylate (MA) easily polymerized, but acrylamide (AAm), vinyl acetate (VAc), and styrene (St) scarcely polymerized. The apparent activation energies were 4.1–11.5 kcal/mol, indicating the small value in the high nitrogen content sample. The degree of grafting and the apparent number of grafted chains increased with increasing monomer and sample concentrations. In every case, the grafting efficiency was at a high level, above 90%. The polymerization did not occur without the sample in the same condition. Furthermore, a part of nitro groups split off by the irradiation of light. With respect to these results, the mechanisms of the photo graft copolymerization was discussed.     

壳聚糖与N-异丙基丙烯酰胺接枝共聚凝胶的辐射合成及性能研究

采用γ辐射技术引发壳聚糖与N异丙基丙烯酰胺进行接枝共聚,制备了温度及pH敏感水凝胶.研究了单体浓度、辐射剂量等对接枝率和接枝效率的影响,并用13CCPMASNMR和TG表征了接枝物的结构.研究结果表明,用γ射线引发壳聚糖接枝异丙基丙烯酰胺具有较高的接枝率和接枝效率,接枝的聚合物具有明显的温度及pH敏感的特点.     

Polymers from renewable resources. II. A study in the radio chemical grafting of poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) onto cellulose extracted from pine needles

A binary mixture of styrene and maleic anhydride has been graft copolymerized onto cellulose extracted from Pinus roxburghii needles. The reaction was initiated with gamma rays in air by the simultaneous irradiation method. Graft copolymerization was studied under optimum conditions of total dose of radiation, amount of water, and molar concentration previously worked out for grafting styrene onto cellulose. Percentage of total conversion (Pg), grafting efficiency (%), percentage of grafting (Pg), and rates of polymerization (R_p), grafting (R_g), and homopolymerization (R_h) have been determined as a function of maleic anhydride concentration. The high degree of kinetic regularity and the linear dependence of the rate of polymerization on maleic anhydride concentration, along with the low and nearly constant rate of homopolymerization suggest that the monomers first form a complexomer which then polymerizes to form grafted chains with an alternating sequence. Grafting parameters and reaction rates achieve maximum values when the molar ratio of styrene to maleic anhydride is 1 : 1. Further evidence for the alternating monomer sequence is obtained from quantitatively evaluating the composition of the grafted chains from the FT‐IR spectra, in which the ratio of anhydride absorbance to aromatic (CC) absorbance for the stretching bands assigned to the grafted monomers remained constant and independent of the feed ratio of maleic anhydride to styrene. Thermal behaviour of the graft copolymers revealed that all graft copolymers exhibit single stage decomposition with characteristic transitions at 161–165°C and 290–300°C. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1763–1769, 1999     

Surface grafting of polyethylene by mutual irradiation in methyl acrylate vapor. IV. Kinetic analysis by quartz helix microbalances

A detailed kinetic study of the γ-ray-induced surface grafting of methyl acrylate (MA) onto polyethylene (PE) has been investigated by using quartz helix microbalances. Under typical graft conditions, the grafting rate increases, levels off, and then accelerates with irradiation time; i.e., the typical growth process of the surface grafting consists of an initial stage having an increasing rate of grafting, an intermediate stage having a constant rate, and an advanced stage having an accelerated rate. A homopolymer layer (consisting only of an MA component) begins to be formed on the inner graft copolymer layer (consisting both of MA and PE components) at the transition zone in grafting rate after a duration of a constant rate of grafting. Therefore, the increasing rate in increasing rate in the intial stage of grafting reflects the graft copolymerization in the graft copolymer layer (inside the PE sheet), and the increasing rate in the advanced stage reflects the growth of the homopolymer layer. Under grafting reflects the graft tage reflects the growth of the homopolymer layer. Under grafting conditions by which the homolymer layer is not formed throughout the whole grafting process, the surface grafting remains remains in the initial stage. On the order hand, under grafting conditions by which the homopolymer layer begins to be formed from an early stage of grafting, the surface grafting proceeds rapidly from the initial stage to the advanced stage and thus skips the intermediate stage.     

Radiation-induced grafting of hexafluoroacetone to polyethylene

Although hexafluoroacetone is not polymerized by ionizing radiation, it is shown that γ-irradiation of hexafluoroacetone dissolved in polyethylene films produces a graft with a G value of 500 and, therefore, a kinetic chain length of 200. The effects of dose rate (0.021–3.55 Mrad/hr), temperature (21–53°C), and pressure (1.5–6.2 atm) on the graft rates have been measured. Also the effect of temperature (21–53°C) on the postirradiation grafting reaction and on the physical properties of the grafted films have been investigated. Together with solubility, diffusivity, infrared, and EPR data, the results lead to the following mechanism: The first step represents production of secondary alkyl radicals in the polyethylene by irradiation of the polymer–monomer system. The second step involves the linkage of the monomer to the radical site to form the alkoxy radical. Since it cannot add to another monomer unit, this radical abstracts a hydrogen atom from an adjacent polyethylene chain in the third step. Radical R· can then continue the kinetic chain. Radical combination and radical–impurity reactions terminate the chain. The graft may be unique in that it is the only one we have found in which a pendant group containing only one monomer unit is attached by a chain reaction. At dose rates up to 0.215 Mrad/hr, the grafting was linear with time and proportional to the 0.73 power of the dose rate at 21°C and to the 0.81 power at 53°C. The reaction is insensitive to increases in dose rate above 0.215 Mrad/hr where diffusivity measurements show the reaction to be diffusion-controlled. The rate of reaction increased 10% when the temperature was increased from 21 to 53°C. While there was significant postirradiation grafting reaction at 21°C, there was none at 53°C. The results do not fit the equations of reaction-controlled steady-state graft-polymerization kinetics. The deviations arise from an observed increase in monomer solubility in the film with increasing graft combined with low diffusivity of the monomer in polyethylene, and the presence of a radical-scavenging impurity which terminates the kinetic chain with the appearance of a relatively stable radical. EPR data suggests that the impurity is a trace of oxygen which may be produced radiolytically.